Mozambique Fangblenny

Meiacanthus mossambicus

Also known as Harptail Blenny, Mozambique Fang Blenny

SaltwaterFish

Mozambique Fangblenny (Meiacanthus mossambicus) — Emanuele Santarelli · CC BY-SA 4.0

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
Difficulty: Easy
Breeding: Medium
Rarity: Common
Reef safe: Reef safe
Origin: Western Indian Ocean (East Africa to Madagascar)
Family: Blenniidae

Overview

An outgoing, curious fish that spends its day in plain view and rarely bothers tankmates. Keep it singly or as a pair, feed small meaty foods a few times a day, and it settles into almost any peaceful community. It does not touch corals or invertebrates.

In the wild

This fang blenny comes from coastal reefs of the western Indian Ocean along East Africa, from Mozambique north to Kenya and out to the Comoros and Madagascar. Unlike most blennies it hovers in open water near the rock rather than sitting on it. In the aquarium it wants 110 liters or more with a lid, since it can jump.

Good to know

Meiacanthus mossambicus is a fang blenny in the family Blenniidae, reaching about 9 cm. The lower jaw carries grooved, venomous fangs that are used only in defense. The body is a warm golden yellow with a dusky wash along the nape and a lyre-shaped tail, which is why the trade also calls it the harptail blenny.

Did you know

A predator that swallows a fang blenny gets a venomous nip on the inside of its mouth and promptly spits the blenny back out, usually none the worse for the trip.

Tank mates

Mozambique Fangblenny is a peaceful, solitary species that keeps to the middle. These picks match on water type, temperature, pH, size and temperament.