Today’s edition of Awesome Fish Spotlight finds us looking at yet again, another cool Ecsenius blenny. While not nearly as hard to get as E. oculus, E. pictus is not a common find in the hobby. We’ve already stressed on how Ecsenius are a clan of algae eating blennies that are a must have for any reef aquarium. Why not really? They’re cute, stay small, active and are good lawn mowers. Most of all, many of them are colorful and affordable.
E. pictus is a lovely species found commonly in the Philippines and Indonesia. While not a staple, specimens do appear randomly from time to time. We have one living in our mixed reef display that came from a Philippines supplier. This species features a handsome black body decorated with thin white lines and a series of spots arranged in a linear fashion. The tail end features a striking assemblage of orange tiger stripes that leaves us wishing it continued further up its body. E. pictus is a beautiful fish to look out for, and if your LFS isn’t carrying them, its time you make a request.
