Algae Blennies - Stupid Question

[MrK]

Peep's.

I know this is going to sound stupid but what the hell do Algae Blennies eat?:confused:

I purchased one on the good advise of Mark at my LFS in stockport that he would eat the algae in my tank. Since I rehomed him into my reef he has not eaten anything? No algae, No New Era Flake, No brine shrimp:(.
He his now looking very thin and very hungary.

There is plenty of algae in the tank for him to munch on but he just dos'nt seem interested. I'm getting very concerned an confussed as to what this little fella will eat:confused:

Any help would be great as I don't want to loose this cute little fella:)

Cheers and confused
Mark

[Tetley]

Hi Mark,

As you say, they should eat algea. Do you see him "rasp" at the rocks?

Try him on some "Nori" - buy from local supermarket, tear some off sheet and put in lettuce clip if you have one, if not, just wedge it under a rock.

Also try him on some Mysis, and green flake.

HTH

Tets.

[MrK]

Hi Mark,

As you say, they should eat algea. Do you see him "rasp" at the rocks?

Try him on some "Nori" - buy from local supermarket, tear some off sheet and put in lettuce clip if you have one, if not, just wedge it under a rock.

Also try him on some Mysis, and green flake.

HTH

Tets.

Tets. I have tried Nori and also mysis and still no joy. Every now and then he has a suck on the glass but nothing major.

mark

[Tangman]

Hi Mark if an Algae Blenny does not eat algae, they usually never stop eating it sounds like he has a gut problem and is suffering as you say he is going thin. If he continues to go thinner and not appear to eat i would put him to sleep as he will starve to death otherwise. HTH Twiggy:D

[Tom2006]

I got one which destroyed my hair algae problem in weeks, but then refused to eat ANYTHING else and just wasted away. I couldn't catch him it ws very sad. I now have another which only eats the exceptionally fine algae that forms on the glass etc it wont touch hair algae, which is why I got it. BUT I made sure it eats frozen food before buying and therefore its fine. Sad to say, but yours will almost certainly waste away.:(

[MrK]

Hi Mark if an Algae Blenny does not eat algae, they usually never stop eating it sounds like he has a gut problem and is suffering as you say he is going thin. If he continues to go thinner and not appear to eat i would put him to sleep as he will starve to death otherwise. HTH Twiggy:D

Thanks eric. That wasn't the answer I wanted to hear:(. When i bought him he was fat as butter eating really well so i was just wondering if i was doing anything wrong. Checked all perams and they are fine also other fish are feeding well.

I try and get to eat over the next few days otherwise its the freezer:( booo whooo

mark

[Tetley]

Thanks eric. That wasn't the answer I wanted to hear:(. When i bought him he was fat as butter eating really well so i was just wondering if i was doing anything wrong. Checked all perams and they are fine also other fish are feeding well.

I try and get to eat over the next few days otherwise its the freezer:( booo whooo

mark

Hi,

A short heavy blow on the head would be much kinder - (sad but true :()

[Tom2006]

Don't get me started on the freezer debate. But please don't do it. In brief summary. Water expands when frozen, fish are made up cells which are all made up of water. Basically the cells in the fish expand and burst, not a nice way to go! As tets says a quick blow to the head.

[MrK]

Don't get me started on the freezer debate. But please don't do it. In brief summary. Water expands when frozen, fish are made up cells which are all made up of water. Basically the cells in the fish expand and burst, not a nice way to go! As tets says a quick blow to the head.

Can't bring myself to do that Tom:(. I am going to see if anybody else has a tank with some different algae than mine in. See if he eats then;)

[oakwell]

my first algae blennie lasted 2 years and i think he took afetr me as he had a big stomach!

I bought one afetr he passed away and he only lasted 2 months so no more for me i'm afraid, shame because they have so much character one of my favourite fish:mad:

[Tom2006]

Can't bring myself to do that Tom:(. I am going to see if anybody else has a tank with some different algae than mine in. See if he eats then;)

If you do have to kill the blenny, or any other fish, you have to think what is best for them. Its tough but its over in a split second. Put it this way, if you were on your way out and had to choose. Would you like to be frozen to death or a quick killer blow to your head? I know which I would choose.

[Aquandy]

I got one from Macca's on Sunday and so far not touched any food I've put in, he's just kept grazing on the rocks? Do hope he changes his mind as he's a beauty.