Does the Midas Blenny eat algae?

Unlike the Lawnmower Blenny, the Midas Blenny is primarily a planktivore. While they may occasionally nip at algae, their diet should consist predominantly of meaty marine foods like Mysis and brine shrimp.

Can I keep more than one Midas Blenny together?

It is generally not recommended unless you have a very large aquarium (over 400 litres) or a confirmed mated pair, as they are highly territorial towards their own kind and will fight.

Why is my Midas Blenny turning brown or mottled?

They use colour change as camouflage. If your blenny is stressed, frightened, or resting at night, it will display a mottled pattern to blend in with the live rock. It should return to a golden yellow once settled.

Are Midas Blennies reef safe?

Yes, they are considered completely reef safe. They spend their time in the water column or perched in crevices and will ignore your corals and ornamental invertebrates.

Do Midas Blennies jump?

Yes, they are notorious jumpers, particularly when startled or newly introduced to a tank. A tight-fitting lid or mesh screen is mandatory to keep them safe.

MarineMarineBeginner

Midas Blenny

Ecsenius midas

A vibrant, eel-like marine fish famous for its golden-yellow colouration and energetic swimming behaviour in the mid-water column.

List this species for sale Find Midas Blenny near me

Ideal Conditions

Temperature: 23 – 26 °C
pH range: 8.1 – 8.4
Hardness: 8 – 12 dGH
Salinity: 1.02 – 1.025 SG
Adult size: 10 – 13 cm
Standard reef nano or larger: 110 litres+
Lifespan: 4 – 6 years
Diet: Planktivore/Omnivore. Requires meaty foods like frozen Mysis and brine shrimp, alongside high-quality marine flakes and some spirulina.
Water flow: Moderate to strong
Preferred setup: Live rock with numerous crevices and holes, plus a tight-fitting lid to prevent jumping.

About the Midas Blenny

The Midas Blenny (Ecsenius midas) is a standout among blennies because, unlike its rock-hopping cousins, it spends a significant amount of time hovering in the water column. Often found mingling with shoals of Anthias in the wild, it shares their diet and swimming patterns. Its striking golden hue, expressive eyes, and graceful, eel-like swimming motion make it a captivating addition to marine setups. When frightened or resting, it quickly retreats into a rocky crevice, popping just its head out to survey the surroundings.

Find Midas Blenny

Search current listings in your chosen area. If none are available, save an alert and we’ll let you know when a match is listed.

Find locally Check compatibility Add to a Setup

Availability alerts only use public sale listings. Adding this species to a Setup updates your private records.

Is it right for your tank?

Check Midas Blenny against a habitat you already keep. We compare water type, temperature, pH, adult size, group needs and everything living there.

Where Midas Blenny comes from

Native range

Indo-Pacific, Red Sea

Countries / regions

Egypt, Indonesia, Philippines, Australia, Fiji

Habitat

Clear, current-swept coastal and seaward coral reefs.

Widespread across the Indo-Pacific, frequently found on reef faces with abundant zooplankton.

Similar species

Bicolor Blenny
Ecsenius bicolor
Tailspot Blenny
Ecsenius stigmatura
Firefish Goby
Nemateleotris magnifica

We’re adding more full species guides as the catalogue grows.

Compatible tank mates

Reviewed guidance based on this species' recorded traits.

View all compatibility

Ocellaris Clownfish
Amphiprion ocellaris
Peaceful, occupies a different part of the tank, and their temperaments complement each other perfectly.
Great
Flasher Wrasses
Paracheilinus spp.
Active but peaceful mid-water swimmers that will safely share the water column with the Midas Blenny.
Great
Firefish
Nemateleotris magnifica
Similar body shape and feeding habits; the Midas Blenny may exhibit territorial aggression towards them in smaller aquariums.
Compatible with caution
Tailspot Blenny
Ecsenius stigmatura
Conspecific aggression is high; mixing species from the Ecsenius genus almost always leads to severe territorial disputes.
Not recommended
Lionfish
Pterois volitans
The slender, eel-like body of the Midas Blenny makes it an easy meal for predatory fish with large mouths.
Not recommended

Current marketplace listings

Checking the marketplace…

See all Midas Blenny listings

Public Wanted requests

No open requests for Midas Blenny in this market yet.

Looking for Midas Blenny?

Search current listings near you, or post a wanted request so local sellers know what you’re looking for.

Search Midas Blenny listings Post a wanted request