[jmscav]

Anyone had a problem with a Convict Blenny attacking and killing smaller fish that go too near their burrows under the rock and gravel? All my books describe it as a peaceful, non-aggressive fish, but I've lost three smaller fish to it. I wasn't sure until I actually saw it kill a smaller Firefish today. This Convict Blenny (or Engineer Goby) is about 6 in. long.

[Ninong]

Hi jmscav, welcome to Reefland!

The references that I have seen report that Pholidichthys leucotaenia is usually not agressive with most fish but it is known for eating "small" fish. I guess your victims fell into the "small fish" category.

As you are probably aware, they are called engineer gobies because of their tendency to rearrange the live rock structure by undercutting it. This can be a serious problem once they reach mature size of more than 12" TL. You might want to make sure everything is secure.

Here is another good example of the confusing nature of common names. It's two most popular English common names are Convict Blenny and Engineer Goby, yet it is neither a blenny nor a goby. Go figure!