Salarias fasciatus (Sailfin/Algae Blenny)

Source: liveaquaria.com

QUICK STATS

• Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
  
• Care Level: Easy, Moderate
  
• Temperament: Peaceful
  
• Reef Compatible: Yes
  
• Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
  
• Max. Size: 5"
  
• Color Form: Assorted, Green, Tan
  
• Diet: Herbivore
  
• Origin: Fiji
  
• Family: Blenniidae
  
• Insert Date: 8 August 2009

The Sailfin/Algae Blenny is notable for its unique looks and winning personality. With a mottled tan color, oversized eyes, and typical body shape of the Blenniidae family, Salarias fasciatus adds visual appeal to any marine aquarium. But despite its tendency to grow to an impressive 5" in size in the home aquarium, the Sailfin/Algae Blenny remains peaceful, active and, therefore, fun to observe.
Also referred to as the Jewelled Rockskipper, Lawnmower, or Rock Blenny, the Sailfin/Algae Blenny is native to the reefs across the Indo-Pacific. Like other Blennies, the Sailfin/Algae Blenny will perch on live rock, hide in caves, hop across the substrate, and graze on microalgae. Therefore, it requires a larger system with a variety of live rock and rockwork.

The Sailfin/Algae Blenny is peaceful towards other fish unless the tank mate is similar in shape or appearance to the blenny. It is best to house the Sailfin/Algae Blenny singly unless kept in a larger aquarium and the two are a mated pair. It is known to nip at small-polyped stony coral and clam mantles.

The Sailfin/Algae Blenny does best in well-established aquariums with large amounts of natural algae to feed on. The diet can be supplemented with vegetable matter, spirulina, and herbivore preparations.

Some other links containing info on the Sailfin/Algae Blenny:
http://www.aqua-fish.net/saltwater/?jewelled-blenny
http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/blennies/LawnmowerBlenny.php
http://www.reeflex.net/tiere/66_Salarias_fasciatus.htm
http://www.reefcorner.com/SpecimenSheets/lawnmower_blenny.htm
http://hubpages.com/hub/Lawnmower-Blenny
http://www.fishlore.com/profile-lawnmowerblenny.htm

Finally had a good view of the Blenny

After the addition of the foxface fish we noticed one encounter between the 2 in which the foxface made clear he didn't like the salarias, now on November 15 when we got home we found the salarias in the front corner of the tank, not reacting to anything, while normaly he would dive away between the rocks on first sight of us. We watched him a while and noticed he separated some green liquid like substance. If it was the foxface we don't know for sure, but the salarias isn't doing well and now removed from the tank.

Contacted the shop where we buy most of our fish, they where 95% sure it wasn't the foxface, that we needed to check for a pistol shrimp or maybe he hurt himself on a rock. We could bring the fish over to have them take a look at it.
After we brought it there they couldn't find any injuries, they said it was most likely to be stress from the new inhabitants. The fish is back in the tank now, and hopefully doing fine.

Added 4 new corals in the tank.

Salarias is still present and active. Doesn't show itself allot, but still able to see him couple of times in front of the camera after the aquarium was cleaned. Also got 2 movies with him.

Salarias still doing his business as usual. He can often be found in a little cave behind the toadstool mushroom or hanging on the Halimeda algae.

Tuesday we added a Hermit Crab, now normally the Salarias doesnt care much for new inhabitants, but this one was nice to put your head to rest

Then there is the Salarias, still doing well. He is the main reason for not cleaning the windows too often, that’s where he gets most his food nowadays. All the rocks are clear of algae except for the brown stuff covering parts of it. Mostly it’s covered with a grey dust like substance.

The oldest fish in the aquarium, the Salarias will hopefully like the new way everything will be set up. Hopefully the algae will grow more after putting in some fresh bacteria and he will have more food.

Found a nice article on Hubpages

Found an article on Fishlore

Gave me a hard time to catch. I catched all the others and couldn't find him, but he had attached himself to the bottom of one of the rocks still in the aquarium. And was not about to let go.

What a pain in the *** he is when it comes to catching him. Now he moved under the pump cabinet where we couldn't reach. We had to remove the whole cabinet just to reach him...unfortunately it was glued to the side...
But he likes the new surrounding, he was skipping from rock to rock and diving into the caves...he enjoys it

The Salarias has some trouble finding food, we hope the algae will grow soon. From time to time I insert some algae leaves, to give him something to eat. But he seems to enjoy all the caves he has now.