Bundoon Blenny Trio Aggression

[Wen]

Looking for advice from Bundoon blenny owners, I purchased a trio from DD 3 wks ago. They went into a 30 gal observation tank as 3 hungry pale buddies.

I’ve been trying to fatten them up before release into a 150 gal reef tank. Feeding 4-8 times a day (pellets, LRS and ROE). 1 has colored up very well. I was also hoping for a pairing before going into 150, with the lone individual residing in the 30 gal until I can find a home for it.

This morning for first feed, they were not begging at glass as usual, but were in separate corners and very defensive of their space. The least colored individual is now in hiding.

Question:
What do I do?

 

[Reef AquaCult]

Beautiful fish. I was considering getting a trio of bundoons as well. I was also wondering about their compatibility. Hopefully someone can share their own experience.

 

[mattzang]

curious too, seems people report these fish pairing off and attacking others, so it's odd to me why DD sells them in trios

i think the bundoons are really cool btw, nice fish!

 

[Reef AquaCult]

Any updates?

 

[Wen]

Yes, thank you!
Today is water change day, so when lights on and glass clean I’ll post pics. All 3 are back to acting like puppies and have great color.
I’ve pondered the drastic change in their behavior and there were 2 things that had changed in the tank. I added a peppermint shrimp and added a small live rock with a tiny rfa on it.
So, soon after my R2R post, I removed the shrimp and lowered the rfa position. The 3 went back to normal.
Why would adding a shrimp cause them to turn on each other? Idk. But I’m thankful that they can stay together in the 30gal a little longer.
Will be very interesting when the trio move into 150.

 

[Wen]

Beautiful fish. I was considering getting a trio of bundoons as well. I was also wondering about their compatibility. Hopefully someone can share their own experience.

Trio buddies again, sorry phone camera struggles.

 

[Reef AquaCult]

looks great thanks for the update

 

[Wen]

looks great thanks for the update

I wanted to share some insight on adding the Bundoon blenny trio to a peaceful 150 mixed reef.

Not strong swimmers. Had to turn off mp40s. Now have covers and set at 25%.

They MUST be fed 4x daily or more to keep weight on. They need tiny mouth sized foods. Good eaters!

The dominant one is thriving. The second one lasted 2 weeks in display, then disappeared. The most timid one I never saw again once placed in 150.

If I were to start over, I would have kept them in observation tank until they were full grown (3”) and all fat. Absolutely a beautiful fish, but requires extra consideration to thrive in a peaceful community large mixed reef.

 

[Reef AquaCult]

I see thanks for the update. Sorry to hear about your struggles. Definitely important information, I wish they could say things like that in the animal descriptions online.