Striped fangblenny
Meiacanthus grammistes
The Striped Poison-fang Blenny is a Western Indo-Pacific species needing a secure tank with micro-caves and hiding spots in live rock, balanced with generous open swimming space in the water column.
Température de l’eau
23 - 28 °C
Valeur du pH
8 - 8.5
Type d'eau
Marin
Niveau dans le bac
Tous les niveaux
Taille adulte
11 cm
Volume minimal du bac
>= 115 L
Groupe minimal
>= 1
KH
8 - 12 dKH
Description de l'espèce
Geographical Origin and Habitat:
This species is widely distributed across the Western Indo-Pacific. It is commonly found from the waters of Indonesia and the Philippines to the Solomon Islands and the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, ranging north to the Ryukyu Islands. It inhabits sheltered lagoons and outer reef slopes at depths of 1 to 24 meters, swimming close to cover.
Taxonomy and Morphology:
Belonging to the family Blenniidae, it features a slender, elongated body. The defining anatomical characteristic of this species (and the genus Meiacanthus) is the presence of two long, hollow canine teeth in the lower jaw, which are connected to venom glands at their base. Adults reach a maximum length of about 11 centimeters.
Social Behavior:
Unlike many other benthic blennies, it spends a significant amount of time swimming actively in open water. It is a peaceful species toward other tankmates, except with other members of its genus or fish that mimic its coloration. Its venomous bite is used exclusively for defense against predators that try to swallow it.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism:
The body is decorated with striking longitudinal yellow, black, and white stripes that fade into a spotted pattern on the caudal fin. This color pattern serves as a warning to predators (aposematism). No visible external sexual dimorphism is present, although mature males may grow slightly larger than females.
Soins, reproduction et cohabitation
Aquarium Setup:
Requires a marine aquarium of at least 120 liters. The tank layout must feature plenty of live rock arranged to create micro-caves, crevices, and hiding spots where the fish can sleep or hide when threatened, while still leaving ample open swimming space in the water column.
Diet and Feeding:
It is a carnivorous planktivore. In captivity, it readily accepts frozen foods such as mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, copepods, and fish eggs. It also acclimates quickly to high-quality dry pellet and flake foods. It is recommended to feed them in small portions twice a day.
Water Quality:
Prefers stable water parameters: temperature between 24°C and 27°C, pH between 8.1 and 8.4, specific gravity from 1.020 to 1.025, and carbonate hardness (KH) between 8 and 12 dKH. Ammonia and nitrite levels must be kept at zero, with nitrate levels controlled through regular water changes.
Compatibility and Cohabitation:
Highly suitable for reef aquariums as it is completely safe with corals and sessile invertebrates. It coexists peacefully with most reef fish. Avoid housing it with large predatory species (which may still spit them out if bitten inside the mouth) or with other Meiacanthus species.
Aquarium Breeding:
This is one of the few blenny species that has been successfully bred in captivity. They are demersal spawners: the female deposits adhesive eggs inside a small cave or PVC pipe, and the male guards and fans them until they hatch, which usually takes about 6 to 8 days.
Risks and Diseases:
It is a hardy species with no specific health concerns under proper husbandry. It is crucial to remember that its bite is venomous (similar to a wasp sting to humans), so caution must be exercised during aquarium maintenance or when catching the fish.
Origine et répartition géographiques
This species is widely distributed across the Western Indo-Pacific. It is commonly found from the waters of Indonesia and the Philippines to the Solomon Islands and the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, ranging north to the Ryukyu Islands. It inhabits sheltered lagoons and outer reef slopes at depths of 1 to 24 meters, swimming close to cover.
Origine
Océans tropicaux et récifsAmérique du NordAsie du Sud et du Sud-EstAsie de l'EstAustralie, Nouvelle-Guinée et Océanie
Profil de poisson
- Tempérament
- Peaceful
- 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.
- Régime alimentaire
- 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.
- Espérance de vie
- 5-7 years
- Taille adulte
- 11 cm
- Ratio des sexes
- 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.
- Fréquence d'alimentation
- 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.
- Charge biologique
- Medium
- The Striped Poison-fang 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.
- Courant
- Strong
- 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.
- Risque de saut
- 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.
- Reproduction
- 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.
- Compatibilité et compagnons
- Reef safe
- 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.
- Niveau dans le bac
- 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.
Modèles et paramètres scientifiques
FishBase
Fenêtre sur les données scientifiques officielles de l’espèce
FishBase v25.04Données synchronisées le : 15/06/2026
- Niveau trophique
- 3,4 ± 0,5 se
- Résilience
- Élevée (moins de 15 mois)
- Singularité phylogénétique (PD50)
- 0.5
- Relation bayésienne longueur-poids
- a = 0.00575, b = 3.06
- VulnérabilitéVulnérabilité faible (10 / 100)
Espèces associées
Recommandations regroupées par proches parents, compagnons et soins similaires.
