Lawnmower Blenny

flower

Well-Known Member

I have had a LMB for many years, I leave the back walls and sides of my tank alone and the blenny grazes on it all day long and on the rocks as well. He loves the short green algae not the long hair algae, that he won’t touch. He will nip at the seaweed sheet I put in the tank for the tangs and I’m sure a LMB can live on an algae sheet in QT.
A LMB is not a good choice to be rid of hair algae, a pigmy angelfish will eat it. So will turbo snails, sea hares and the like. However if, like me, a tank just needs a lawnmower blenny because you like them…they have great personalities and are a very hardy little fish. If your back wall is covered in SHORT algae the blenny has plenty to eat and when it mows down a section another area will sprout, if the algae gets sparse…add the algae sheet until the back re-grows. That is what I do.
 

mrdc

Active Member
Originally Posted by yannifish
http:///forum/post/3276865
Is nori really that nutritious?
I mean, will it be a good food source if the algae runs out in my tank?
It's ok. You can always dose the nori with vitamins like zoe, selcon, vitachem ....
 

stanlalee

Active Member
I've had several for at least 3-4yrs at a time. NONE did anything to control algae. get them because they're cool not to control algae. they dont eat the big visable ugly stuff. mine have always needed algae sheets to survive.
 

yannifish

Active Member
Originally Posted by Flower
http:///forum/post/3276918

I have had a LMB for many years, I leave the back walls and sides of my tank alone and the blenny grazes on it all day long and on the rocks as well. He loves the short green algae not the long hair algae, that he won’t touch. He will nip at the seaweed sheet I put in the tank for the tangs and I’m sure a LMB can live on an algae sheet in QT.
A LMB is not a good choice to be rid of hair algae, a pigmy angelfish will eat it. So will turbo snails, sea hares and the like. However if, like me, a tank just needs a lawnmower blenny because you like them…they have great personalities and are a very hardy little fish. If your back wall is covered in SHORT algae the blenny has plenty to eat and when it mows down a section another area will sprout, if the algae gets sparse…add the algae sheet until the back re-grows. That is what I do.
Yes, it has grown from wanting an algae remover to wanting the fish because I really like it. It isn't really long, about 1/4 inch, so I'm not sure. I can srape some if it doesn't like it.
I do plan on eventually getting a flame angel, just not yet. I want more experience first.
Thanks!
 

yannifish

Active Member
Originally Posted by Stanlalee
http:///forum/post/3277113
I've had several for at least 3-4yrs at a time. NONE did anything to control algae. get them because they're cool not to control algae. they dont eat the big visable ugly stuff. mine have always needed algae sheets to survive.
Well, you never know, it might eat something.
I really do want this fish though. It looks like a great, fun little fish.
 

yannifish

Active Member
I brought my new LMB home today!
He's just chillin in the qt right now.
It was eating quite well in the store, so I'm confident it will do well.
Wish me luck!
 

yannifish

Active Member
Originally Posted by meowzer
http:///forum/post/3277766
Good luck...and get us a pic as soon as you can :)
I'll try. At least this guy isn't in constant motion like those darn clowns.
I think I'll wait untill tomorrow to freak it out with the camera though.
 

meowzer

Moderator
Originally Posted by yannifish
http:///forum/post/3278014
Well, it wouldn't take nori today, but I'll try garlic tomorrow. I'm not worried yet.
when you watch it....is it picking at the rocks and stuff???? If so, that is where it is getting it's food.....they will be shy at first, so just be patient
 

yannifish

Active Member
Originally Posted by meowzer
http:///forum/post/3278018
when you watch it....is it picking at the rocks and stuff???? If so, that is where it is getting it's food.....they will be shy at first, so just be patient
He's in qt, there is no algea to speak of.
I'll try the garlic nori tomorrow, and if he still isn't eating in a few day, I'll take a rock from the dt for him to pick off of.
He was very shy this morning, but got better as the day went on. Very healthy looking fish, very alert.
 

flower

Well-Known Member
Originally Posted by yannifish
http:///forum/post/3278136
He's in qt, there is no algea to speak of.
I'll try the garlic nori tomorrow, and if he still isn't eating in a few day, I'll take a rock from the dt for him to pick off of.
He was very shy this morning, but got better as the day went on. Very healthy looking fish, very alert.

Putting a rock covered in algae is a great idea, don't replace the rock back into the DT until you are sure the Blenny is healthy. That is his natural food and the best thing to try. You may have to add a few rocks before quarantine is over.
 

yannifish

Active Member
Originally Posted by Flower
http:///forum/post/3278194

Putting a rock covered in algae is a great idea, don't replace the rock back into the DT until you are sure the Blenny is healthy. That is his natural food and the best thing to try. You may have to add a few rocks before quarantine is over.
Thats the plan. I'll also try putting the nori on the rock, it will seem more like a food source than the nori on PVC.
 

yannifish

Active Member
I placed the rock in this morning, and he hasn't touched it yet, although he's been swimming all over the tank. I'll give it a few more day, but if it doesn't start eating nori, should I cut the qt short?
All the fish at the Lfs looked health, non showed any sign if disease.
 

meowzer

Moderator
Are you sure it isn't eating? Do you watch it 24/7????? How long has it been in qt? Do you have any worries that it may have something???
Mine is always munching ..so IDK how long they can go...if all else fails, you may have to try the dt
 

yannifish

Active Member
Just haven't seen it eat. The only thing for it to eat the algae on a rock I put I'm there, and thr nori I put on the rock. I've had him since Friday, and did see him eat at the lfs.
I'm not overly worried yet. It's a healthy fish, no sign of disease, so I'm starting to consider the dt.
 
My lawnmower man eats NON STOP!! He even goes and hops out of my tank onto the ledge of my hangon filter COMPLETELY OUTTA THE WATER to eat that algae on the lip of the filter than hops back into the tank. My ONLY issue with this fish is that he gets aggressive towards my yellow watchman sometimes and he POOPS ALOT it drives me crazy!!
 
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