Mozambique fangblenny
Meiacanthus mossambicus
Also known as Harptail Blenny, Mozambique Fang Blenny
SaltwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 72–79°F
- 22–26°C
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 3.5 in
- 9 cm
- Minimum tank
- 29 gal
- 110 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Swim level
- Middle
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Breeding
- Medium
- Rarity
- Common
- Reef safe
- Reef safe
- Family
- Blenniidae
- Origin
- Western Indian Ocean (East Africa to Madagascar)
Overview
The Mozambique fangblenny is an outgoing fang blenny that spends its day in plain view. It is easy to keep and suits a saltwater reef tank.
Did you know
A predator that swallows a Mozambique fangblenny gets a venomous nip on the inside of its mouth. It promptly spits the blenny back out, usually none the worse for the trip.
Caring for the Mozambique fangblenny
Give the Mozambique fangblenny 29 gal (110 L) or more, with a lid, since it can jump. Unlike most blennies, it hovers in open water near the rock rather than sitting on it.
Hold the water at 72 to 79°F (22 to 26°C) and a pH of 8.1 to 8.4. Feed small meaty foods a few times a day.
The Mozambique fangblenny is curious and rarely bothers tank mates. Keep it singly or as a pair, and it settles into almost any peaceful community. It does not touch corals or invertebrates. Breeding it takes some experience.
Good to know
Meiacanthus mossambicus is a fang blenny in the family Blenniidae. Its lower jaw carries grooved, venomous fangs that it uses only in defense. The body is a warm golden yellow with a dusky wash along the nape. A lyre-shaped tail is why the trade also calls it the harptail blenny.
In the wild
The Mozambique fangblenny comes from coastal reefs of the western Indian Ocean along East Africa. It ranges from Mozambique north to Kenya and out to the Comoros and Madagascar.
Weekly picks
Tank mates
The Mozambique fangblenny 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.
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)
Tailspot blenny
Ecsenius stigmatura
Saltwater2.4 in (6 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)72–79°F (22–26°C)
Seale's cardinalfish
Ostorhinchus sealei
Saltwater3.9 in (10 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)
Fighting conch
Strombus alatus
Saltwater3.1 in (8 cm) · 20 gal (75 L)75–81°F (24–27°C)
Common questions
What size tank does a Mozambique fangblenny need?
A Mozambique fangblenny needs at least 29 gal (110 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.
What temperature and pH does a Mozambique fangblenny need?
A Mozambique fangblenny is comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.
What does a Mozambique fangblenny eat?
A Mozambique fangblenny eats small meaty foods. Feed it a few times a day.
How big does a Mozambique fangblenny get?
An adult Mozambique fangblenny reaches about 3.5 in (9 cm).
Related species
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)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)
3.5 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)