Disco blenny
Meiacanthus smithi
Also known as Smith's Fang Blenny, Smith's Blenny, Disco Fang Blenny
SaltwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–81°F
- 23–27°C
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 3.1 in
- 8 cm
- Minimum tank
- 26 gal
- 100 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Swim level
- Middle
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Common
- Reef safe
- Reef safe
- Family
- Blenniidae
- Origin
- Ranges across the eastern Indian Ocean and western Pacific, from the Andaman Sea to Indonesia and the Philippines, on coral reefs.
Overview
Keep it in a 100 litre or larger tank at 23 to 27 C and pH 8.1 to 8.4 with a lid, as it can jump. It is reef safe and does not bother corals or clams. Feed small meaty foods and algae based fare such as mysis, brine shrimp, and spirulina flakes two to three times a day because of its fast metabolism. It is peaceful, and its venomous bite lets it hold its own with larger tankmates.
In the wild
The disco blenny hovers in the open above the reef more than most blennies, dropping back to a rock hole when threatened. It has a pale body, a dark stripe through the eye, and a tall dorsal fin. It picks small animals and algae from the water and rock. It needs live rock with plenty of small crevices to shelter in.
Good to know
Meiacanthus smithi is a fang blenny in the family Blenniidae. Fang blennies carry venomous grooved teeth in the lower jaw, and a fish that bites one is quickly spat back out. This defense means larger predators generally leave them alone.
Did you know
Other fish, and even a few unrelated blennies, copy the disco blenny's look to borrow the protection of its venomous bite.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
Disco blenny is a peaceful, solitary species that keeps to the middle. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.
Pictus blenny
Ecsenius pictus
Saltwater2 in (5 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)73–81°F (23–27°C)
Fire shrimp
Lysmata debelius
Saltwater2.4 in (6 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Tiger / strawberry conch
Conomurex luhuanus
Saltwater2.8 in (7 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Banggai cardinalfish
Pterapogon kauderni
Saltwater3.1 in (8 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)73–82°F (23–28°C)
Flametail blenny
Enchelyurus flavipes
Saltwater3 in (7.5 cm) · 29 gal (110 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Camel / dancing shrimp
Rhynchocinetes durbanensis
Saltwater2 in (5 cm) · 16 gal (60 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a Disco blenny need?
A Disco blenny needs at least 26 gal (100 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a Disco blenny need?
A Disco blenny is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.
How big does a Disco blenny get?
An adult Disco blenny reaches about 3.1 in (8 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)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)75–81°F (24–27°C)Blackline fang blenny
Meiacanthus nigrolineatus
3.5 in (9 cm) · 20 gal (75 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)20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)Red Sea mimic blenny
Ecsenius gravieri
3.1 in (8 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)