Red Streaked Eyelash Blenny - Cirripectes stigmaticus

Red Streaked Eyelash Blenny (Cirripectes stigmaticus)

The Red Streaked Eyelash Blenny, Cirripectes stigmaticus, is an unusual and eye-catching marine combtooth blenny, admired for its dark body, fiery red streaking, red spotting and expressive blenny-like personality. Also known as the Red-Streaked Blenny, Ember Blenny or Red-Streaked Eye-Lash Blenny, this species is a brilliant choice for mature marine aquariums with established rockwork and natural grazing surfaces. It is generally hardy once settled, but it should be provided with regular algae-based foods and peaceful tank mates that allow it to graze confidently.

Common Name:
Red Streaked Eyelash Blenny, Red-Streaked Eyelash Blenny, Red-Streaked Eye-Lash Blenny, Red-Streaked Blenny, Ember Blenny, Scarlet-Spotted Blenny.

Scientific Name (Latin):
Cirripectes stigmaticus

Maximum Size:
Around 10–13 cm, making it a small to medium-sized marine blenny suitable for mature aquariums with plenty of rockwork and grazing area.

Water Type:
Marine

Origin / Natural Habitat:
Found across the Indo-Pacific, including parts of Indonesia, the Western Pacific and surrounding reef regions. In the wild, Red Streaked Eyelash Blennies are associated with shallow reef habitats, upper seaward reef slopes, coastal reef flats, rocky and coralline structures, and surf-swept algal ridge zones. They are usually found close to hard surfaces where algae, biofilm and shelter are readily available.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–27°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Hardness or Salinity: SG 1.020–1.025

Temperament:
Peaceful to mildly territorial. Red Streaked Eyelash Blennies are generally suitable for peaceful marine communities, but they may defend a favourite hole, crevice or grazing area. They can show territorial behaviour towards similar blennies or rock-dwelling fish that compete for the same space. Best kept as a single specimen unless the aquarium is large and carefully planned.

Diet:
Omnivorous grazer with a strong algae-feeding element. In the aquarium, provide regular algae-based foods such as nori, spirulina flakes, herbivore pellets, marine algae sheets and frozen foods containing algae. Small meaty foods such as frozen mysis shrimp, enriched brineshrimp, cyclops and copepod-based foods can also be offered as part of a varied diet. Mature rockwork with natural film algae and biofilm is highly beneficial.

Minimum Tank Size:
A practical minimum of around 150–200 litres is recommended for a single specimen, with larger aquariums preferred for mixed reef communities or systems containing other blennies. Provide mature live rock, caves, crevices, ledges and plenty of natural grazing surfaces.

Behaviour & Activity:
A rock-associated blenny that spends much of its time perched on hard surfaces, watching its surroundings and grazing from rockwork. It may hop between ledges, retreat quickly into crevices when startled and establish a favourite resting hole. Once settled, it often becomes bold, alert and full of character. A secure lid is recommended, as small marine fish can jump when startled.

Reef Safe:
Reef Safe with Caution
Red Streaked Eyelash Blennies are generally suitable for reef aquariums and do not normally damage corals. However, as with many grazing blennies, occasional picking at coral surfaces, clam mantles or fleshy sessile invertebrates may occur, especially if the fish is underfed or natural grazing is limited. Keeping the fish well fed with algae-based foods helps reduce unwanted picking behaviour.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Best kept in a mature aquarium with established rockwork and visible grazing areas. Avoid sterile new systems with very little algae or biofilm, as this species benefits from natural grazing throughout the day. Do not rely on it as the sole algae-control method, and supplement regularly with algae-rich foods. Avoid housing with aggressive blennies, large hawkfish, predatory fish or dominant tank mates that may force it away from feeding areas.

Suitable for:
Beginner to Intermediate fishkeepers

Availability:
Uncommon in the marine aquarium trade / Availability can vary depending on supplier, collection region and import season

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.