Animal-World > Marine - Saltwater Fish > Blenny Types > Red-lipped Blenny

Red-lipped Blenny

Family: Blenniidae

• Puzzles
• Postcards

Ophioblennius atlanticus Photos: Courtesy John Rice
Coloration at night

   The Red-lipped blenny is known for its excellent habit of helping to keep reef aquariums free of problem algae. They have a hardy appetite and are easy to maintain!

   They can be territorial, and the Red-lipped Blenny may chase others of its own size or less, but this is not always the case.

For more Information on keeping this fish see:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Marine Aquarium

Maintenance/Foods:
   Blennies are omnivores. They do well on a diet which includes all kinds of algae and frozen marine foods. In a well established aquarium or a mini-reef they will usually find plenty to eat with minimal supplemental feeding.

Habitat: Natural geographic location:
   Red-lipped Blenny are found in the Eastern Atlantic: Azores and Madeira; Canary, Ascension, St. Helena, Cape Verde, San Tomé and Annobon Islands; St Paul's Rocks; and along the coast of west Africa from Senegal to Angola. Western Atlantic: Trindade Island (Brazil). Bermuda, North Carolina to Florida (USA), Bahamas, Caribbean, including Antilles to Brazil. Rare in northern Gulf of Mexico. They are found at depths of 10 to 20 meters (33 - 60 ft).

Social Behaviors:
Can be territorial with fish less than twice its own size.

Sex: Sexual differences:
   The male is usually larger. It is thought that the male has an extra black edge on the ventral and tail fins.

Breeding/Reproduction:
   We have found no information at this time (10/01/99).

Light: Recommended light levels:
   No special requirements.

Temperature:
   No special requirements. Normal temperatures for marine fish is between 74 and 79 degrees fahrenheit.

Length/Diameter of fish:
   Red-lipped Blenny adults can grow to 12.0 cm (4.7 inches).

Minimum Tank Length/Size:
   A minimum 25 gallon aquarium is recommended.

Water Movement: Weak, Moderate, Strong
   No special requirements.

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom
Usually spends most of its' time on rockwork or live rock near the bottom.

Availability:
   This fish is readily available and is inexpensive.

Add your comment here!
Latest Comments
I have this fish (the one in the excellent pictures from John Rice)and have been searching all day to try to identify it. (It was sold to me incorrectly as a "red finned blenny.") But this fish is NOT a redlipped or "horseface" blenny. I still don't know what it is for sure, but the face shape is quite different from the Ophioblennius atlanticus and the "night time" markings of this fish are much more elaborite than that of a horseface. (Also, it's dorsal fin is higher than a red lipped blenny and it lacks the red lips which are it's namesake feature) IF anyone knows for sure what the fish in this picture really is, I would love to know :) THANK YOU! Diana Hancock 2009-11-10
I have a red lipped blenny and he is so cute! He always comes to the tank when I go near and stays there until I feed him! I love mine so you should love yours to if you have and if you dont have one get one! some fish lover! 2009-10-24

Back to Blenny Types

Author: David Brough. CFS.