Midas Blenny from HELL...

Leslie Tabor · Jan 6, 2016

Ok guys, very, very new to the hobby and I swear I research everything to death and one of my first fish is a beautiful Midas, which is supposed to be a great peaceful beginner community fish. I have a 120gal tank, tons of caves, she even has her own "house" that she is always in and out of. I am in love with everything about her...EXCEPT...she is the devil. She started with tearing chunks out of my clownfish, so I researched some more and did a 30 day solitary-confinement in my sump, moved some rock around, added a few corals and a few bigger fish...well now in 2 days I have a new Lyretail anthia with a chunk out of her back and both my clowns have nips out of their tails. Any other ideas?! The LFS I got my Midas from says they will give me partial credit for her return. Is that the best way to go? Realistically I know the answer, but I really like the Midas!! : (

melypr1985 · Jan 6, 2016

Your sure it's the Midas doing this? You've seen it attack these other fish? I only ask, because maybe it's chasing them but you have another predator in your tank?
I've seen a midas blenny go after a cleaner wrasse before. It was bazzar to say the least, so it's not out of the realm of believing or anything.... I"m just trying to think of alternative theories to help you keep your midas

NY_Sea · Jan 7, 2016

I recently added a Midas Benny and was surprised to see him attack my other fish. First I noticed shredded fins on my yellow tang and clownfish and then the other day while feeding he straight up attacked my smaller clownfish. I thought these guys were peaceful. I'm considering evicting him from the community.

Flashy Fins · Jan 7, 2016

Some fish have bad attitudes, no matter their species. It's rare for one to be way off the mark from the general disposition of the species, but it does happen. Kind of like humans... it's rare for one to enjoy killing other people, yet serial killers do exist.

There are many blennies that are fish scale eaters, and most of them mimic friendlier blennies very well. I would worry you had one of those, except I don't think any of them mimic the Midas blenny enough for you to confuse the two. To me, at least, the Midas blenny looks very different from other yellow blennies.

I would remove him and try another. You're unlikely to get a second terror, given their usual nature.

Flashy Fins · Jan 7, 2016

I should add, they are sometimes known to nip the fins of open swimmers, but not for taking chunks out of tank mates as you describe.

Leslie Tabor · Jan 7, 2016

I have seen her attack my larger clown

and when the first few incidents occurred, they were the only fish in the tank. I am pretty sure she is a Midas, she will even mimic the colors of my Anthias which apparently they do in the wild which is really cool to see. I am so bummed, she was the best looking one they had (last time I went in, the ones they had left looked on the verge of death, part of why I am struggling with taking her back.) I could deal with a nip here or there but there are perfect mouth sized semi-circles out of fins, it took weeks for my clown to look normal. I appreciate the responses guys!

Leslie Tabor · Jan 7, 2016

Pristinewaters...That is exactly what happened! She was all shy at first, hiding in her little rock...then BAM psycho fish! They are really cool though, I am definitely going to try another if I can find one as healthy and pretty as this one!

Andreww65 · Jan 7, 2016

I have a midas blenny that did the same. It took him about 6-8 weeks to calm down and get put in his place. He's now a wonderful community fish. I believe he did take some chunks out of my Hippo tangs tail. He now gets along with everyone. Have a Leopard Wrasse super male which keeps everyone in check and peaceful. Other fish include an Oc Clown, female Leopard Wrasse, Flasher Wrasse who is a jerk, Diamond Goby, 2 skunk cleaner shrimp and a peppermint shrimp. Mixed hard and soft corals. 120 gal, 4x2x2.