Ember Blenny

Cirripectes stigmaticus

Saltwater Fish Species Group: Blenny Family: Blenniidae

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Water parameters

Temp 76-80 F Temperature

Maintaining a stable and appropriate temperature is critical for the survival of aquatic life.

pH 7.8 - 8.4 potential of Hydrogen

Measuring the acidity or alkalinity of water on a 0–14 scale, where 7 is neutral, 7 is alkaline.

NO3 1-20 ppm Nitrate

While less toxic than ammonia, high nitrate levels (above 40–80 ppm) are important to monitor because they can cause fish stress, stunted growth, and harmful algae blooms.

NO2 <0.0001 ppm Nitrite

It is a highly toxic, intermediate compound in the nitrogen cycle produced from broken-down ammonia

PO4 0.01 - 0.1 ppm Phosphate

It is essential for plant development but must be managed, as excess levels trigger nuisance algae blooms and inhibit coral calcification.

NH3 <0.1 ppm Ammonia

It is the primary killer of aquarium fish, causing gill damage, stress, and death

Ca 380 - 450 ppm Calcium

Supporting the growth, skeletal structure, and shell formation of corals, mollusks, crustaceans, and coralline algae

KH 8 - 12 dKH Alkalinity

It acts as a shield, neutralizing acids to prevent dangerous pH "crashes" that can harm fish, corals, and plants.

Mg 1200 - 1400 ppm Magnesium

It enables coral growth by supporting skeletal formation, assists in metabolic processes, and ensures that calcium is available for corals, clams, and coralline algae.

SG 1.023 - 1.026 SG Salinity

Essential for maintaining stable, natural water parameters, proper osmoregulation, and stress-free environments for marine fish and corals

ORP 250 - 400 mV Oxidation-Reduction Potential

A higher positive mV indicates clean, oxygen-rich water with high water quality, while low readings indicate high pollution.

About Ember Blenny

General information

The Ember Blenny (Cirripectes stigmaticus) is a small, colorful fish that belongs to the family of combtooth blennies. They typically grow to an average length of 3 inches (7.5 cm) and have a slender, elongated body with a long continuous dorsal fin. Ember Blennies are known for their vibrant coloration, with a fiery orange-red body and electric blue stripes that run horizontally across their back and tail. These fish are relatively hardy and make great additions to a peaceful reef aquarium.

Diet & nutrition

Ember Blennies are omnivorous and will eat a variety of foods in the aquarium, including frozen or live foods such as brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, and other small crustaceans. They will also feed on algae and vegetable matter, making them great for controlling algae growth in the tank. It is recommended to feed them twice a day, and they will readily accept prepared foods like flakes or pellets.

Determining sex

It is difficult to determine the sex of Ember Blennies as they do not display any external sexual dimorphism.

Breeding & spawning

Ember Blennies have not been successfully bred in captivity.

Diseases

Ember Blennies are relatively hardy and are not particularly susceptible to any specific diseases. However, like all fish, they can be affected by common aquarium diseases such as ich or fin rot. Maintaining good water quality and a healthy diet can help prevent disease outbreaks.

Origination

Ember Blennies are found in the Indo-Pacific region, including the waters of Fiji, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

Cautions

Ember Blennies are generally peaceful and do not pose a threat to other tank inhabitants. However, they may become territorial with other blennies or similar-shaped fish. It is also important to ensure that the aquarium has plenty of hiding places and caves for these fish to retreat to as they can be somewhat shy and reclusive.

Acclimation process

When acclimating an Ember Blenny to a new aquarium, it is important to adjust them gradually to the new environment to prevent shock. The drip acclimation method is recommended, which involves slowly adding small amounts of water from the new aquarium to the bag the fish came in over the course of an hour or two. This will help the fish adjust to the new water chemistry and temperature.

All photos

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