Eyebrow Barnacle Blenny

Ekemblemaria myersi

Saltwater Fish Species Group: Blenny Family: Antennariidae

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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 Eyebrow Barnacle Blenny

General information

Reefsand Blenny, also known as Myers' Blenny, is a small species of marine fish belonging to the Chaenopsidae family. This species is endemic to the Caribbean Sea, particularly found in the coral reefs around Florida, the Bahamas, and the Caribbean Islands. 
The Reefsand Blenny has a slender body with a mottled brown coloration, often with a dark stripe running along its lateral line. It has a small head with a blunt snout and a single continuous dorsal fin. The maximum size of this species is around 2.5 inches (6.3 cm) in length. 
The Reefsand Blenny is a bottom-dwelling species that prefers sandy or rubble substrate areas in coral reefs. They are known to be territorial and aggressive towards other blennies and small fish. Their diet primarily consists of small invertebrates and algae.

Diet & nutrition

Reefsand Blennies are omnivores and will eat a variety of foods in the aquarium, including meaty and plant-based foods. Their diet can include frozen or live brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, finely chopped seafood, and algae-based foods. They also graze on microalgae and diatoms found on the live rock and sand in the aquarium.

Determining sex

There is currently no known way to determine the sex of Reefsand Blennies.

Breeding & spawning

Breeding and spawning of Reefsand Blennies is rare in captivity and little is known about their breeding habits in the wild.

Diseases

Reefsand Blennies are generally hardy and resistant to most common aquarium diseases if kept in proper conditions. However, they are susceptible to diseases such as ich if exposed to poor water quality and stress.

Origination

The Reefsand Blenny is found in the Western Atlantic Ocean, ranging from Florida and the Bahamas to the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico.

Cautions

The Reefsand Blenny is not known to be harmful to humans. However, caution should be exercised when handling them as they have sharp teeth and can bite if provoked. They are also known to jump out of open aquariums, so a tight-fitting lid is recommended.

Acclimation process

When introducing Reefsand Blennies to a new aquarium, it is important to acclimate them slowly to the new water conditions. This can be done by floating the bag with the fish in the aquarium for about 30 minutes to equalize the water temperature, and then slowly adding small amounts of the aquarium water to the bag over the course of an hour or two to acclimate the fish to the new water chemistry.

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