Smithii Blenny (Coryphopterus Glaucofrenum)

Also Known As: Smithii Blenny, Bridled Goby

Compatibility and Behavior
The Smithii Blenny (Coryphopterus glaucofrenum) is a subtle little fish with a small case of mistaken identity, since despite the trade name it's actually a reef goby rather than a true blenny. It has a slim, torpedo-shaped body in pale tan to translucent beige, marked with soft vertical bars and a distinctive dark "bridle" stripe running from the snout through the eye, and under reef lighting the fine speckling and faint blue sheen along the fins give it a refined, understated "designer" look that suits a peaceful community tank. It's reef safe and generally very peaceful, spending most of its time hovering just above the sand or perched at the base of the rockwork while it picks at tiny crustaceans and suspended particles. It'll lightly turn over the upper substrate as it filters small mouthfuls of sand, but it's nowhere near as disruptive a digger as the larger sleeper gobies. It can show mild territoriality toward its own kind in tight quarters, so it's best kept singly in smaller systems, or as a small group introduced together in a larger, well-structured tank with lots of hiding spots to break up sightlines.

Aquarium Requirements
This is an easy-going fish for a mature tank around 20 to 30 gallons or larger, with a mix of fine sand and rocky rubble and plenty of crevices, overhangs, and small caves for cover. It appreciates a gently sloping sand bed and patches of open substrate to feed over, plus moderate flow that keeps food moving without blasting the bottom. Arrange your live rock securely so light sand movement can't undermine it, and use a tight-fitting lid or mesh top, since gobies can jump when startled. A biologically mature tank with established microfauna plus regular small feedings targeted near the bottom is what brings out its most natural, confident behavior. Offer mysis, brine, cyclops, and fine frozen meaty foods or micro pellets in small amounts several times a day.

Specifications
Approximate Size: 2–2.5"
Diet: Carnivore; small crustaceans such as mysis and brine shrimp, cyclops and other zooplankton, and fine frozen meaty foods or micro pellets
Origin: Western Atlantic and Caribbean
Care Level: Moderate
Reef Safe: Yes
Temperament: Peaceful
Minimum Tank Size: 20 gallons
Special Considerations: Feeds on small crustaceans and zooplankton, so it does best in a biologically mature tank with established microfauna; can jump, so a tight-fitting lid is recommended