Starry Blenny behavior - Is this normal

Stew18 · Nov 18, 2015

I have a Starry Blenny that is just a little guy - maybe 2". He likes to dive down to the sand and skim the sand with his body and then dart back up. Seems like he is just playing but I just want to make sure this is normal? Thanks

Reefing Madness · Nov 20, 2015

cmcoker · Nov 20, 2015

Stew18 said:
I have a Starry Blenny that is just a little guy - maybe 2". He likes to dive down to the sand and skim the sand with his body and then dart back up. Seems like he is just playing but I just want to make sure this is normal? Thanks

How long have you had him?
Did you quarantine?
Eating well?
Breathing rate?
Spots or film on him? Know this could be hard to tell spots on this fish..

May try posting in the disease forum with the answers to these questions

pondman · Nov 21, 2015

It could be flukes its a parasite that lives on skin its like a flea on a dog he may be scratching you could do a freshwater dip to help him rid himself of it

Stew18 · Nov 21, 2015

my buddy came over and says he has ich. I bought some garlic to mix in the food and 2 cleaner shrimp

cmcoker · Nov 21, 2015

Cleaner shrimp do not remove ich.
Garlic is OK to increase appetite and keep eating, but does not treat ich.
It is possible to treat ich, and keep it out of your display. Some people chose to only manage ich, but there is risk of major losses this way.
If you would like some more info on eradicate vs manage ich:
https://www.reef2reef.com/index.php?threads/188775/