Top Hat Blenny (Omobranchus fasciolatoceps)

Originating from the coastal waters of Taiwan and Southern China, the Tophat Blenny is one of a very few species of Blenny that inhabits both fresh and brackish waters in the wild. A medium sized, curious fish with a unique namesake crest and a striped facial pattern, this fish inhabits a wide variety of estuarine and mangrove swamp habitat but are more often found in fresh or slightly brackish water than full marine conditions. In the aquarium, they adapt to a variety of conditions but will do best in at least low to moderate strength brackish water (5 – 15ppt salinity). They are peaceful towards most similar-sized tankmates but tend to spar with each other over territory, so be sure to provide plenty of cover and hiding places. This species is sexually dimorphic, with males typically exhibiting a larger crest and females generally being smaller and more colorful.