False Cleanerfish

(Aspidontus taeniatus)

Aspidontus Blennies should be added to well established aquariums with plenty of rockwork, cracks, caves and crevices for hiding. Generally found in shallow reef flats, coral beds and slopes with empty barnacles or worm/mollusk tubes for hiding. Most Blennies hide in their burrows with only their heads sticking out to watch for food. They are quite entertaining as they spot food and swim as fast as they can to capture and eat it before hurrying back to their burrow. Ensure a diet of meaty foods fed multiple times daily. Most Blennies lack or have very small swim bladders. Be sure to provide an aquarium with a tight fitting lid as Blennies may jump.

The False Cleanerfish is also known as the Mimic Blenny. Periodically seen in the aquarium trade this beauty mimics the common cleanerfish. False Cleanerfish have a black stripe that runs from the mouth to the tail with a white to gray color stripe above and below the stripe which increases the coloration to a vivid blue near the back of the body to the tail. False Cleanerfish can grow to 4".

We recommend a minimum aquarium size of 30 gallons or larger for this species.

Water conditions: Salinity 1.020 - 1.025, Temp (F) 72 - 78, pH 8.1 - 8.4, Alkalinity 8 - 12 dKH

  • Care: CareModerateModerate
  • Behavior: BehaviorSocialSocial
  • Diet: DietFrozen FoodFrozen Food DietHerbivoreHerbivore DietLive FoodLive Food
  • Habitat: HabitatReefReef
  • Light: LightMediumMedium