red scooter blenny

nemo79 · 10-29-2006, 06:58 AM

I just love these guys but I am not sure if it will be compatable with my jawfish and firefish. Anyone know? and are there any concerns with blenny's?

amcarrig · 10-29-2006, 07:40 AM

The only problem with these fish is that they're not blennies at all but dragonettes. These fish feed primarily on copepods and amphipods and even if you can get one to eat prepared foods, it's chances for survival are still somewhat slim once it decimates your pod population.

RCBruce · 11-01-2006, 03:42 PM

yep. dragonettes will wipe out a copepod population in surprisingly short order.

nemo79 · 11-01-2006, 05:21 PM

Before I bought one I asked the guy if it ate any prepared foods and he said brine and mysis. He is a reputable person I have dealt with and it's not a chain store and he said he has never had a problem with the scooters but he said the mandarins...forget it. I bought the scooter and he is sooo cute and scoots around the tank picking at things, my tang was a little leary of it at first but now everything is a ok. I hope he lasts.

amcarrig · 11-01-2006, 05:25 PM

I've had scooters eat brine and mysis too but they eventually withered away and died regardless. I've just never had luck with dragonettes. One tip to keep the fish well fed is to feed all of your fish and while they're busy eating, squirt some mysis shrimp right near the scooter so it can eat them up. You'll notice how long it takes the fish to suck up it's food once it has spotted it so you can understand why the fish may need to be target fed. Skip feeding brine as it has zero nutritional value, unless you soak it in cod liver oil or Selcon before you feed it.

nemo79 · 11-01-2006, 05:33 PM

Thanks for the advice. I will p/u mysis. Right now I have only had it since monday so he's a little skittish so I will try target feeding tomorrow. Will a turkey baster work? Is there another way to keep the food in his area. I should create a special feeder for all us reefers..I wish I was an engineer.

amcarrig · 11-01-2006, 05:58 PM

A turkey baster is the target feeder of choice for most hobbiests

Make sure that you only use one particular turkey baster for the fishtank (and don't wash it with soap). In other words, don't use your turkey basting baster, buy a seperate one for the tank

nemo79 · 11-01-2006, 06:22 PM

Thanks Annik. I bought a baster for the tank a while back and it has come in handy for many things. I don't see many copods like I used to but hopefully there will be enough. Can you buy them?

amcarrig · 11-02-2006, 06:21 AM

I believe that there are a few companies, including Reef Nutrition who is a sponsor here, that sell live copepods but I'm not sure who ships to Canada?

Reef Nutrition Marine Aquarium Feeds