Secretary Blenny

The Secretary Blenny is a tiny, endearing tube-dwelling blenny native to the Caribbean. At just 1.5 inches in maximum length, it is among the smallest marine fish kept in aquariums, yet its outsized personality and comical appearance more than compensate for its diminutive stature. The species features an oversized head with prominent eyes and elaborate branching cirri, giving it a perpetually surprised expression as it peers out from its tube shelter.

In the wild, the Secretary Blenny colonizes dead coral heads and rocky reef areas riddled with small holes and empty worm tubes. It lives almost entirely inside these tubes, with only its head protruding as it watches for passing zooplankton with alert, swiveling eyes. Multiple individuals often occupy the same coral head, creating charming scenes of tiny faces peering out from adjacent holes, each blenny guarding its own miniature territory.

The Secretary Blenny is an ideal candidate for nano reef aquariums and dedicated small marine setups. It is completely reef-safe and peaceful toward other species. The primary challenge is ensuring adequate food delivery to this sedentary species, as it rarely ventures far from its tube. Target feeding with small, meaty foods near its shelter opening is essential for long-term success. A well-established aquarium with a natural copepod population provides supplemental feeding between target feedings.