Blenny Red Streaked (Cirripectes Stigmaticus)

Red-streaked Blenny (Cirripectes stigmaticus)

The Red-streaked Blenny, also widely known as the Ember Blenny or Scarlet-spotted Blenny, is a captivating and high-contrast member of the combtooth blenny family. It is prized by aquarists for its intricate "glowing" appearance, featuring a dark brown-to-black body covered in a labyrinth of vivid red-to-orange streaks and spots. Like other Cirripectes species, it is a "personality fish" with large, expressive eyes and a row of fringe-like cirri (whiskers) along its neck, giving it a unique, prehistoric look.

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Key Information

• Common Names: Red-streaked Blenny, Ember Blenny, Scarlet-spotted Blenny, Reticulated Blenny

• Scientific Name: Cirripectes stigmaticus

• Origin: Indo-Pacific (East Africa to the Line Islands, north to Japan)

• Max Size: 10–13 cm (approx. 4–5 inches)

• Lifespan: 4–6+ years

• Temperament: Peaceful; interactive but territorial toward other blennies

• Diet: Omnivore (leaning toward herbivory) – requires algae and meaty proteins

• Care Level: Moderate (needs a well-established tank)

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Appearance & Identification

The Red-streaked Blenny undergoes subtle color shifts as it matures and based on its mood:

• Pattern: The head and front of the body feature a reticulated red pattern (like a maze), which transitions into vertical red streaks and dots toward the tail.

• Eyes: Notable for its gold-ringed pupils surrounded by a red iris, adding to its "ember-like" appearance.

• Cirri: It possesses a distinctive "comb" of small, hair-like filaments (nuchal cirri) across the nape of its neck, a hallmark of the Cirripectes genus.

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Behavior & Tank Compatibility

• The Percher: This species is a classic "sentry." It spends its time perching on high points of the rockwork, swiveling its eyes to monitor the room and its tank mates.

• Reef Safe (with Caution): Generally reef-safe, but it may nip at fleshy LPS corals or clam mantles if it is underfed or if the tank lacks sufficient natural algae.

• Aggression: It is peaceful toward non-similar fish but highly territorial toward other blennies or fish with a similar "eel-like" shape. It should be kept singly per tank unless the system is very large (150+ gallons) and they are introduced simultaneously.

• Interactive Personality: Known to be quite "pet-like," often recognizing its keeper and watching them from its favorite rocky lookout.

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Ideal Tank Setup

• Tank Size: A minimum of 115L–200L (30–55 Gallons) is recommended. Larger tanks are better for providing enough natural grazing surface.

• Established Live Rock: It requires an established aquarium with plenty of live rock. The rock provides essential hiding spots and the microalgae/detritus that make up a large portion of its natural diet.

• Water Flow: It naturally inhabits surge zones and reef flats, so it appreciates moderate to strong water movement and high oxygenation.

• Lid: Like all blennies, the Red-streaked is a prolific jumper, especially when startled at night. A tight-fitting lid is essential.

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Dietary Needs

Unlike some specialized algae-only blennies, the Red-streaked is an omnivore:

• Vegetable Matter: Offer dried seaweed (nori), spirulina-enriched flakes, and herbivore pellets.

• Meaty Proteins: Supplement with finely chopped mysis shrimp, vitamin-enriched brine shrimp, and cyclops.

• Natural Grazing: It will spend much of its day picking at the "film" algae on rocks and glass.

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Why Choose the Red-streaked Blenny?

The Red-streaked Blenny is for the hobbyist who wants a "character" fish that looks like a glowing piece of volcanic rock. It offers more intense coloration than common algae-eating blennies while providing the same functional benefit of natural algae control. Its alert, intelligent demeanor makes it a constant source of entertainment in a mature reef or community aquarium.