Redspotted blenny

Istiblennius chrysospilos is a robust rock-hopping blenny from shallow Indo-Pacific reef flats and tide pools, where it grazes film algae from hard surfaces. Adults reach about 14 cm and display a mottled body dotted with red-orange spots and prominent branched cirri above the eyes. It is a hardy, comical fish that perches on rockwork and darts between hiding spots. Keep one per tank of at least 150 litres with abundant live rock, as males are territorial toward other blennies and similar-shaped bottom dwellers; it is otherwise peaceful with unrelated fish. Maintain stable reef parameters: temperature 24-27 C, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 33-35 ppt. Its diet is mainly vegetal, so provide algae, dried nori and spirulina-based foods, supplementing sparse tanks to prevent weight loss.