Kamohara Blenny
Meiacanthus kamoharai
Kamohara's Fangblenny is an omnivorous coastal fish endemic to southern Japan. It absolutely requires a tight-fitting lid to prevent jumping, and ample live rock arranged to form a secure home cave.
Wassertemperatur
22 - 26 °C
pH-Wert
7.7 - 8.5
Wassertyp
Meerwasser
Tankfüllstand
Alle Ebenen
Erwachsenengröße
10 cm
Mindesttankvolumen
>= 115 L
Mindestgruppe
>= 1
KH
8 - 12 dKH
Artbeschreibung
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Endemic to the Northwestern Pacific, specifically the southern coasts of Japan. Inhabits rocky reefs and subtropical coral zones in shallow coastal waters, where water temperatures can drop slightly during winter.
Taxonomy and Morphology: Member of the family Blenniidae, genus Meiacanthus. Features an elongated, scaleless body. Possesses large venom glands connected to hollow canine teeth in the lower jaw used for defense. Reaches 10 cm in captivity.
Social Behavior: Diurnal and inquisitive. Spends daylight hours exploring live rock and swimming with a distinct undulating motion. Not a shy fish; often perches on rocks in highly visible locations.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Dark grey or black body with white or pale blue longitudinal stripes that merge on the head into an intricate pattern. Tail is dark. Adult males tend to be slightly larger and exhibit more developed dorsal and anal fins.
Pflege, Zucht und Mitbewohner
Aquarium Setup: Requires a tank of at least 115 liters. It is essential to provide plenty of live rock arranged to form caves and crevices where the fish can establish a home cave. A tight-fitting lid is mandatory as they are accomplished jumpers.
Diet and Feeding: Omnivorous. Feeds on zooplankton and algae. Readily accepts mysis, brine shrimp, frozen bloodworms, high-quality pellets, flakes, and nori algae. Feed 2 times daily.
Water Quality: Stable parameters: temperature 22-26°C (tolerates brief cooler or warmer deviations), pH 7.7-8.5, specific gravity (SG) 1.020-1.026, GH 15-25, KH 8-12. Good filtration and oxygenation are required.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: Very peaceful toward different species. May show territorial aggression toward similarly shaped blennies or conspecifics. Its venomous bite deters larger predators, which quickly learn to avoid harassing it.
Aquarium Breeding: Oviparous. The male lures the female into its cave where adhesive eggs are deposited. The male actively guards and fans the clutch until hatching. Has been bred successfully by commercial facilities.
Risks and Diseases: Possesses venomous fangs; if bitten, a human will experience pain similar to a wasp sting (handle with care). Extremely hardy species that rarely gets sick if water is clean and free of ammonia.
Geografische Herkunft und Verbreitung
Endemic to the Northwestern Pacific, specifically the southern coasts of Japan. Inhabits rocky reefs and subtropical coral zones in shallow coastal waters, where water temperatures can drop slightly during winter.
Ursprung
Tropische Ozeane und RiffeNordamerikaOstasien
Fischprofil
- Temperament
- Territorial
- They are bold, active, and fascinating to watch as they constantly hover and swim in the open. While generally peaceful with other species, their venomous bite makes them completely fearless of larger fish. They will not hesitate to bite back if swallowed or attacked, often causing the predator to spit them out. They make a colorful, dynamic, and unique addition to a reef community.
- Diät
- Omnivore
- This species is an omnivorous planktivore that feeds from the water column rather than grazing on rocks. They eagerly accept frozen foods like mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and finely chopped seafood. High-quality marine flakes and micro-pellets are also usually taken with enthusiasm. A varied diet that includes some marine algae or spirulina will keep their colors bright and their immune systems strong.
- Lebenserwartung
- 3-7 years
- Erwachsenengröße
- 10 cm
- Geschlechterverhältnis
- Flexible
- It is highly recommended to keep only one individual per aquarium unless they are a proven, mated pair. Conspecifics or even similarly shaped blennies will engage in vicious, often fatal, combat. In very large tanks with abundant rockwork, multiple individuals might coexist, but the risk remains high. For the vast majority of home aquarists, keeping a single specimen is the safest choice.
- Fütterungsfrequenz
- Twice daily
- They should be fed two to three times daily with small amounts they can quickly snatch from the water column. Since they have relatively small stomachs, frequent feeding mimics their natural continuous foraging behavior. They are quick and enthusiastic eaters that will aggressively compete for food. Automated feeders dispensing small sinking pellets are highly beneficial for them.
- Bioload
- Low
- The Kamohara Blenny produces a minimal bioload making them suitable for smaller marine aquariums. They do not significantly impact nitrate or phosphate levels if fed correctly. Standard marine filtration and regular, modest water changes are entirely sufficient to maintain excellent water parameters. They are quite hardy and resilient to minor fluctuations in water chemistry.
- Fluss
- Moderate
- They appreciate moderate water flow that suspends food particles in the water column. Good flow encourages them to stay active and visible in the open water. Ensure there are calmer areas near the rockwork where they can retreat and rest when desired. Too much turbulent flow can exhaust them, as they constantly swim rather than perch.
- Sprungrisiko
- Yes
- They are known to be significant jumper risks, particularly when newly introduced to an aquarium. A tight-fitting lid, canopy, or mesh screen is absolutely mandatory to keep them safely inside. They often dart toward the surface when chased or spooked by sudden movements outside the tank. Do not underestimate their ability to find even the smallest escape route.
- Reproduktion
- Oviparous
- They are demersal spawners; the male courts the female and she lays adhesive eggs inside a tight crevice or empty shell. The male fiercely guards and aerates the egg clutch until they hatch. Captive breeding is very possible and happens regularly in well-established aquariums. Rearing the very small larvae, however, requires specialized cultures of rotifers and copepods.
- Kompatibilität & Tankkameraden
- Peaceful
- They are generally peaceful and completely reef safe, paying no attention to corals or invertebrates. However, they possess venomous fangs which they use defensively, meaning aggressive tank mates will learn to leave them alone. They can be safely kept with a wide variety of peaceful community fish. Avoid keeping them with other fang blennies, as they will fight aggressively over territory.
- Tankfüllstand
- All levels
- Unlike many blennies that perch on the substrate, they spend most of their time actively swimming in the mid-water regions. They will utilize the upper rockwork as a base to dart out and catch passing plankton. They require small caves or crevices in the live rock where they can sleep securely at night. They are very visible fish that utilize open swimming space extensively.
Wissenschaftliche Modelle & Parameter
FishBase
Zugang zu den offiziellen wissenschaftlichen Daten der Art
FishBase v25.04Daten synchronisiert am: 15.06.2026
- Trophäenniveau
- 2,7 ± 0,4 se
- Belastbarkeit
- Hoch (weniger als 15 Monate)
- Phylogenetische Einzigartigkeit (PD50)
- 0.5
- Bayessche Längen-Gewichts-Beziehung
- a = 0.00575, b = 3.06
- AnfälligkeitGeringe Anfälligkeit (10 / 100)
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