Blackline fang blenny
Meiacanthus nigrolineatus
Also known as Blackline Blenny, Black-Lined Fang Blenny, Blackline Sabretooth Blenny
SaltwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 75–81°F
- 24–27°C
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 3.5 in
- 9 cm
- Minimum tank
- 20 gal
- 75 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Common
- Reef safe
- Reef safe
- Family
- Blenniidae
- Origin
- Native to the Red Sea and western Indian Ocean, on coral reefs and rubble slopes.
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.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
Blackline fang blenny is a peaceful, solitary species that keeps to the bottom. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.
Banggai cardinalfish
Pterapogon kauderni
Saltwater3.1 in (8 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Skunk cleaner shrimp
Lysmata amboinensis
Saltwater2.4 in (6 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Fighting conch
Strombus alatus
Saltwater3.1 in (8 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Skilletfish
Gobiesox strumosus
Saltwater3.1 in (8 cm) · 20 gal (76 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Skunk clownfish
Amphiprion akallopisos
Saltwater4.3 in (11 cm) · 26 gal (100 L)75–82°F (24–28°C)
Fire shrimp
Lysmata debelius
Saltwater2.4 in (6 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a Blackline fang blenny need?
A Blackline fang blenny needs at least 20 gal (75 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a Blackline fang blenny need?
A Blackline fang blenny is comfortable at 75–81°F (24–27°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.
How big does a Blackline fang blenny get?
An adult Blackline fang blenny reaches about 3.5 in (9 cm).
Related species
3.5 in (9 cm)29 gal (110 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Mozambique fangblenny
Meiacanthus mossambicus
3.5 in (9 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)
4.3 in (11 cm)29 gal (110 L)73–79°F (23–26°C)Striped poison-fang blenny
Meiacanthus grammistes
4.3 in (11 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)
3.1 in (8 cm)26 gal (100 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)Disco blenny
Meiacanthus smithi
3.1 in (8 cm) · 26 gal (100 L)
4.3 in (11 cm)30 gal (114 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Forktail fang blenny
Meiacanthus atrodorsalis
4.3 in (11 cm) · 30 gal (114 L)
3.9 in (10 cm)40 gal (150 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Canary fang blenny
Meiacanthus oualanensis
3.9 in (10 cm) · 40 gal (150 L)
3.5 in (9 cm)20 gal (75 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)Lined blenny
Ecsenius lineatus
3.5 in (9 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)