One Spot Blenny

The One Spot Blenny is a distinctive algae-grazing blenny from the Western Pacific, recognized by its dark brown to olive body accented by a prominent single ocellated spot near the base of the dorsal fin. The body often displays additional fine speckling and mottling, and the overall coloration can vary depending on mood and environment, ranging from dark chocolate brown to a mottled olive-gray. Its robust head features the thick, algae-scraping lips and large watchful eyes typical of herbivorous blennies.

In the wild, the One Spot Blenny inhabits shallow reef slopes, rubble zones, and lagoons, where it grazes tirelessly on filamentous algae and microalgae growing on dead coral and rocky surfaces. It establishes a small home territory centered around a favorite perching spot and defends it against competing herbivores. This dedicated grazing behavior makes the One Spot Blenny a valuable addition to reef aquariums as a natural algae control agent, keeping live rock surfaces clean and preventing nuisance algae overgrowth.

The One Spot Blenny is a hardy and beginner-friendly species that requires minimal care beyond established live rock and supplemental vegetable-based foods. It is completely reef-safe, ignoring corals and invertebrates entirely while focusing exclusively on algae. Its peaceful disposition makes it compatible with virtually all community reef species, though it may show territorial behavior toward other herbivorous blennies competing for the same food source. It is best kept as the only herbivorous blenny in tanks under 75 gallons.