Ecsenius pictus,White-lined Comb-tooth
The scientific name of this fish species is Ecsenius pictus. It was first described by McKinney and Springer in 1976. Ecsenius pictus belongs to the family Blenniidae, commonly known as Combtooth Blennies. The genus name, Ecsenius, is derived from the Greek word “exenios,” meaning “uncontrolled” or “excessive.” The species name, “pictus,” comes from Latin and translates to “painted” or “colored,” reflecting the unique and striking color pattern of this fish.
In English this fish is often referred to as the “White-lined Comb-tooth” or “Pictus Blenny”.
There are no synonyms listed for the species name Ecsenius pictus.
Description
Body Shape and Color:
Ecsenius pictus has an elongated body typical of blennies. The fish has a brown base color with multiple longitudinal stripes of white dots that form a striking pattern. The head is often darker, while the flanks show the characteristic white lines.
Fins:
The fins of Ecsenius pictus are usually translucent with light pigmentation along the rays. The caudal fin may show yellow hues.
Swim bladder:
Ecsenius pictus does not have a swim bladder. Blennies, including Ecsenius pictus, are characterized by their absence of a swim bladder, which enables them to remain close to the bottom and move easily between rocks and coral.
Size:
This fish species can reach a maximum length of about 5 centimeters.
Differences between males and females
There are no significant physical differences between males and females of Ecsenius pictus. There is also no apparent sexual dimorphism, meaning that it can be difficult to tell the sexes apart based on external characteristics.
Behavior and Temperament
General Behavior:
The Ecsenius pictus is known for its peaceful and curious nature. They are usually not aggressive and can coexist peacefully with other fish and invertebrates.
Habits:
These fish are often solitary or found in pairs and are not inclined to swim in large groups, or schools. They are bottom dwellers and spend much of their time grazing on algae on rocks.
Shyness:
The Ecsenius pictus can be shy and will hide in rocks when it feels threatened.
Life expectancy
In the wild, the life expectancy of Ecsenius pictus has not been specifically documented, but in aquariums they can live 2 to 4 years or longer with proper care.
Biotope
Natural Distribution and Ecosystem
Ecsenius pictus, also known as the White-lined Comb-tooth Blenny, is native to the Indo-West Pacific region, particularly the Philippines, Indonesia and the Solomon Islands. They mainly inhabit coral-rich environments, such as coral reefs and lagoons.
Habitat
Habitat:
These fish inhabit coral reefs, where they are frequently found on the outer reef walls. Their natural habitat consists of rocky areas with abundant coral and numerous hiding places, such as crevices and cavities. They occur at depths of 1 to 40 meters.
Bottom/Substrate:
The bottom of their habitat consists mainly of coral and rocks, which provide them with ample places to hide and forage.
Natural Enemies and Food Chain
Enemies:
There is no specific information about their natural enemies in the available context. In general, smaller reef fishes, such as Ecsenius pictus, can be threatened by larger predatory fish.
Food chain:
Ecsenius pictus is not a hunter; they feed mainly on algae and small invertebrates such as zooplankton. They are therefore more grazers than hunters in their natural environment.
Diet
Diet in the Wild
In the wild, Ecsenius pictus feeds primarily on algae and small invertebrates such as zooplankton. They use their specialized teeth to scrape algae and plant matter off rocky reefs.
Food in the Aquarium
In an aquarium environment, it is essential to provide a diet rich in plant material. Recommended foods include:
- Algae flakes and pellets: These are specially formulated for herbivorous fish.
- Nori Seaweed: This is an excellent source of vegetable material.
- Spirulina: An algae-rich supplement that helps maintain a healthy immune system.
- Live or frozen foods: Such as brine shrimp and mysis shrimp, can also be offered for variety
What Not to Feed
It is important to avoid feeding the Ecsenius pictus solely on animal foods as this does not meet their nutritional needs and can lead to health problems.
Reef Safe?
Ecsenius pictus is generally considered reef safe. They are not known to eat coral, polyps or shrimp, although they may occasionally nibble on shellfish. However, it is important to observe their behavior, especially in a mixed reef setup.
The Aquarium
For keeping an Ecsenius pictus, an aquarium of at least 100 liters is recommended. If you want to keep multiple pairs, a larger aquarium is necessary to prevent territorial conflicts. Provide sufficient space and hiding places, so that each fish can claim its own area. They can jump out of the aquarium in case of danger. Therefore, close the aquarium well with a well-fitting lid. Make sure that you also close the feedthroughs well, a small hole is enough to lose your fish.
The Aquarium
The aquarium should be set up with numerous rocks and coral structures, as these fish prefer to hide in crevices and holes. The substrate can consist of fine sand or coral gravel, which helps to mimic their natural environment.
Water parameters
The ideal water conditions for Ecsenius pictus are a temperature between 23°C and 27°C, a pH of 8.1 to 8.4, and a salinity (specific gravity) of 1.020 to 1.026.
Introduction to the Aquarium
It is important that the aquarium is well cycled before introducing Ecsenius pictus. This means that the aquarium must have had enough time to grow algae, which is essential for their diet.
Suitable Tank Mates
Ecsenius pictus can live well with peaceful fish and invertebrates. Suitable tankmates include clownfish, firefish gobies, chalk bass, royal grammas, and cleaner shrimp. Avoid aggressive species that may intimidate Ecsenius pictus or steal their food.
Breeding in the Aquarium
There is no specific information available on successfully breeding Ecsenius pictus in an aquarium. In general, breeding blennies in captivity is challenging and often requires a special breeding setup.
Particularities
Ecsenius pictus has a striking color pattern with white to blue lines and dots over a purplish body. The caudal fin base has vertical yellow bands.
This blenny is known for its playful and curious personality. They are often found resting on large sponges in coral rich areas
Conclusion
Ecsenius pictus is an attractive and peaceful fish that is suitable for both novice and experienced aquarists. They are generally easy to care for, provided that their diet consists mainly of algae and they have sufficient hiding places in the aquarium.
Special features include their tendency to jump out of open tanks and their playful personality. They are generally reef safe, but may occasionally nibble on shellfish. Overall, they are a valuable addition to a community tank, provided the right conditions are provided.
Video
Author
John de Lange
Copyright images
