Little Shop of Coral
Lawnmower Blenny (Salaries fasciatus)
Lawnmower Blenny (Salaries fasciatus)
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The Lawnmower Blenny is a classic reef utility fish, loved for its algae-eating habits and goofy, perch-and-stare personality. It spends the day grazing on rockwork and glass, helping manage nuisance algae in mature tanks. With its expressive face and constant “watching you” vibe, it is both useful and entertaining, making it a great addition to many community reefs.
Why we love it
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Excellent grazer for film algae and some nuisance algae
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Tons of personality with classic blenny perching behaviour
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Reef safe and generally peaceful in community tanks
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Great choice for mature tanks with established algae growth
Care & Compatibility
Care Level: Easy to Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful to Semi-aggressive
Reef Safe: Yes
Diet: Herbivore/Omnivore
Adult Size: ~5 to 6"
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons recommended (larger ideal)
Feeding
Even strong grazers need supplemental feeding, especially once algae levels drop.
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Nori and algae sheets
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Spirulina-based pellets and flakes
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Frozen foods like mysis as an occasional supplement
Make sure it is maintaining weight and not relying only on what it finds in the tank.
Tank & Setup Notes
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Best in mature aquariums with established rockwork and natural algae growth
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Provide plenty of perches and hiding spots
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Stable parameters and good oxygenation support long-term health
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A secure lid is recommended since blennies can jump when startled
Compatibility Tips
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Great with most peaceful reef fish
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Can be territorial toward similar blennies and some gobies in smaller tanks
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Generally safe with corals and inverts
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If keeping more than one algae-grazing blenny, a larger tank and multiple territories are important
Acclimation & Health
Slow acclimation is recommended. Once settled and grazing, this species is typically hardy. Early success depends on ensuring it is eating and that the tank has enough natural algae or supplemental foods available.
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LIGHT
LOW: Place coral at the bottom of the tank. Depending on the type, coral may need to be placed off sand and therefore mounted on a ceramic disc of piece of rock.
MEDIUM: Place coral at mid-range of the tank. Best placed/glued on top of a rock scape at mid-range height.
HIGH: Place coral from mid range to just below water level. SPS coral are shallow growing so they require and are able to tolerate intense light.
FLOW
LOW: Most soft coral do well with a small, gentle pulse. There are certain corals that can even be placed in areas of indirect flow, meaning places aside a rock structure or set into a entrance to a cave style space.
MEDIUM: Many LPS types of coral prefer medium pulse current. Most Euphyllia or corals that have more tissue structure connected to their skeleton, don’t like to be in a high flow area like the direct flow of the wave pump.
HIGH: Similar to high light, SPS enjoy being in some heavy current. Most LPS and SPS that branch encrust or plate prefer high flow that simulates the top water waves.
SKILL
ENTRY: While some may say beginner level, "Entry" is a good term to be used when starting out in the world of corals and marine life. Prior to adding livestock, you want to ensure that your reef has the proper parameters including zero levels of ammonia and nitrite. Seeing traces of nitrate in your waters is a good sign - just keep them at a lower level of 2ppm to 10ppm. Maintaining correct temperature and salinity are a huge factor to stable parameters. Starting to monitor your PH, alkalinity, calcium and magnesium is a great habit to get into to keep a successful reef.
While some soft coral don’t require too much light, having a proper reef light that puts out the proper pars is very important. You'll also want to have a good amount of flow and protected rock areas, as placing corals in their happy spot is ideal for success.
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