How related are they?
Same subfamily, Salariinae (Algae-scraping blennies): close cousins
They split at the genus level: the Tailspot Blenny belongs to Ecsenius (Coralblennies), the Lawnmower Blenny to Salarias (Lawnmower blennies).
Find the Tailspot Blenny on the tree · Find the Lawnmower Blenny on the tree
Family lines, side by side
Highlighted rows are groups both animals belong to. The marked row is where their lines go separate ways.
| Rank | Tailspot Blenny | Lawnmower Blenny |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Animalia Animals | |
| Phylum | Chordata Chordates | |
| Subphylum | Vertebrata Vertebrates | |
| Infraphylum | Gnathostomata jawed vertebrates | |
| Parvphylum | Osteichthyes bony fishes | |
| Gigaclass | Actinopterygii ray-finned fishes | |
| Superclass | Actinopteri | |
| Class | Teleostei Teleost fishes | |
| Order | Blenniiformes Blennies and kin | |
| Family | Blenniidae Combtooth blennies | |
| Subfamily | Salariinae Algae-scraping blennies | |
| Genus split | Ecsenius Coralblennies | Salarias Lawnmower blennies |
| Species | Ecsenius stigmatura Tailspot Blenny | Salarias fasciatus Lawnmower Blenny |
Care, side by side
| Fact | Tailspot Blenny | Lawnmower Blenny |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Fish · Blenny | Fish · Blenny |
| Care level | Easy | Easy |
| Reef safe | Yes | Yes |
| Temperament | Peaceful | Peaceful |
| Diet | Herbivore | Herbivore |
| Favorite foods | Film algae and microalgae grazed from rock and glass, Nori (dried seaweed), Spirulina flakes and herbivore pellets | Diatom and microalgae films on rock and glass, Fine turf and hair algae, Nori (dried seaweed) on a clip |
| Max size | 2.5 in (6.3 cm) | 5.5 in (14 cm) |
| Minimum tank | 20 gal | 55 gal |
| Temperature | 72–78 °F | 72–78 °F |
| Salinity (SG) | 1.020–1.025 | 1.020–1.025 |
| pH | 8.1–8.4 | 8.1–8.4 |
| Lifespan | About 3-5 years according to hobby care guides (Salt Water Aquarium Blog); not well documented. | Up to about 6 years reported in aquariums (Aquariadise); not well documented. |
| Breeding | Very hard | Very hard |
| Conservation (IUCN) | Least Concern | Least Concern |