Blackline Fang Blenny

Care at a glance

Overview

Keep it in a 75 litre or larger tank at 24 to 27 C and pH 8.1 to 8.4 with a lid, as it can jump. It is reef safe and does not harm corals or clams. Feed small meaty foods and some algae based fare two to three times a day to match its fast metabolism. It is peaceful, and its venomous bite lets it live safely alongside much larger fish.

In the wild

The blackline fang blenny has a blue head, a yellow body, and a dark stripe along the top of the back. It hovers in the open above the reef and returns to a rock hole for shelter. It is the venomous model that the harmless Red Sea mimic blenny copies. It grazes and picks small food from the rock and water.

Good to know

Meiacanthus nigrolineatus is a fang blenny in the family Blenniidae. Its lower jaw carries grooved, venom bearing fangs, and a predator that swallows it is bitten and spits it back out. This defense is why several other fish evolved to mimic its appearance.

Did you know

It is now commonly captive bred, which makes it a hardy, reef safe choice and takes pressure off wild reefs.

Related species

• 

  Disco Blenny

  Meiacanthus smithi

  3.1 in (8 cm)26 gal (100 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)

• 

  Striped Poison-Fang Blenny

  Meiacanthus grammistes

  4.3 in (11 cm)29 gal (110 L)73–79°F (23–26°C)

• 

  Forktail Fang Blenny

  Meiacanthus atrodorsalis

  4.3 in (11 cm)30 gal (114 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)

• 

  Canary Fang Blenny

  Meiacanthus oualanensis

  3.9 in (10 cm)40 gal (150 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)

• 

  Red Sea Mimic Blenny

  Ecsenius gravieri

  3.1 in (8 cm)20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)

• 

  Tailspot blenny

  Ecsenius stigmatura

  2.4 in (6 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)