Ember Blenny

The Ember Blenny is one of the smallest blennies available in the marine aquarium hobby, reaching a maximum size of just two inches. This diminutive combtooth blenny is native to the waters of Indonesia, particularly around Flores and neighboring islands, where it inhabits shallow coral reefs and rubble zones. Its body displays warm tones ranging from orange-brown to reddish-tan, with subtle mottling and the oversized, expressive eyes that are characteristic of the Ecsenius genus. The overall effect is of a tiny, alert fish with an engaging personality that belies its small stature.

Despite its minute size, the Ember Blenny is a bold and active fish that spends its days perched on rockwork and coral rubble, darting out to graze on microalgae and diatoms. It uses its modified pelvic fins to anchor itself to surfaces, maintaining a watchful vigil over its small territory. In the wild, it rarely ventures far from its preferred perch, relying on camouflage and quick retreats into crevices for protection. This territorial fidelity makes it easy to observe in aquariums, as it tends to establish a home base early and remain loyal to it.

The Ember Blenny is an exceptional choice for nano reef aquariums, thriving in tanks as small as ten gallons with established live rock. It is one of the few marine fish that can be genuinely comfortable in very small aquariums, making it ideal for desktop reef setups. It is completely reef-safe, peaceful toward other species, and hardy enough for beginning aquarists. Its tiny size and gentle temperament mean it should be housed only with other small, non-aggressive species.