All fish / Blenniidae

Striped Fang Blenny

Meiacanthus grammistes

Also known as striped poison-fang blenny, grammistes blenny, linespot fang blenny, striped blenny, line fang blenny, fang blenny, ヒゲニジギンポ, 纵带稀棘䲁, 黄尾纵带稀棘鳚

A slim blenny with black and white lengthwise stripes that break into spots towards the tail, and a yellow head and tail on many fish. Unlike most blennies it swims openly in midwater, which makes it lively and visible, and it is hardy and reef safe with corals.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

10 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

110 litres

Keep as

Singly or as a mated pair; one per tank unless the tank is large

Diet

Carnivore: frozen mysis and brine shrimp, chopped seafood, quality pellets and flakes

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

4 to 6 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Western Pacific: Indonesia, Philippines, northern Australia, Papua New Guinea, Ryukyu Islands

Breeding

Pairs lay eggs inside a cave or tube, and the male guards them until they hatch. Spawning is fairly common in home tanks, but rearing the planktonic larvae is difficult, though it has been done by commercial hatcheries.

Good to know

It has grooved venomous fangs and can give a painful bite, so predators learn to avoid it; it may nip slow fish or small shrimps and quarrel with other fang blennies. Several harmless species mimic it, so check identity when buying.