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Little Shop of Coral

Sailfin Blenny (Parablennius gattorugine)

Sailfin Blenny (Parablennius gattorugine)

$60.00 CAD
$60.00 CAD
Sale Sold out

The Sailfin Blenny is a fun, personality-forward fish that spends its day perched on rockwork, darting between caves, and watching everything that happens in the tank. It is a hardy species with a bold look and that classic blenny behaviour, but it is not a typical algae-only grazer like lawnmower blennies. In the right setup, it is a great addition for movement, character, and natural behaviour.

Why we love it

  • Huge personality in a compact fish

  • Perching and “watching” behaviour makes it a favourite to observe

  • Hardy once settled in a stable, established tank

Suggested parameters

  • Temperature: 24–26°C (75–79°F)

  • Salinity: 1.024–1.026 SG

  • pH: 8.1–8.4

  • Alkalinity: 8–10 dKH

  • Ammonia/Nitrite: 0

  • Nitrate: Under 20 ppm (stable is best)

Care and temperament

  • Difficulty: Easy to moderate

  • Temperament: Semi-aggressive (can be territorial with similar-shaped fish)

  • Reef safe: With caution (generally coral safe, may nip at small crustaceans)

  • Minimum tank size: 40 gallons recommended (larger is better with rockwork)

Diet

This blenny is an omnivore that benefits from variety.

  • Quality pellets and flakes

  • Frozen mysis and brine shrimp

  • Chopped seafood blends

  • Some algae-based foods and occasional nori are helpful

  • Feed small amounts 1 to 2 times per day

Compatibility and tankmates

  • Generally compatible with most reef fish, but can chase other blennies or similar perchers

  • Provide lots of rockwork, caves, and perches to reduce territorial behaviour

  • Avoid aggressive fish that may bully it out of its hiding spots

  • Can be kept with most corals and inverts, but monitor around very small shrimp

What you are buying

  • You will receive: 1 Sailfin Blenny (Parablennius gattorugine)

  • Colour and size can vary between individuals

As with all fish, slow acclimation is recommended, and quarantine is encouraged when possible.

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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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