Meiacanthus grammistes

(Valenciennes, 1836)

Striped Poison-Fang Blenny

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Papua New Guinea north to Southern Japan, and south to the Great Barrier Reef.

Size: 4 inches (11 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabit protected lagoons and seaward reefs and usually found between depths of 3 – 65 feet (1 – 20 m) where it mainly feeds upon zooplankton.

General Husbandry: Occasionally seen in the trade and having black and yellow lengthwise stripes.

Can be maintained in either fish-only or reef aquariums having rocky areas with caves to hide and/or explore while looking for tasty crustaceans to consume.

Basically requires a meaty diet, e.g., fortified brine shrimp, mysis, and other meaty type marine fresh or frozen foods, along with some herbivore foods and all should be finely chopped and fed twice daily.

Taxonomy:

Order: Perciformes

Suborder: Blennioidei

Family: Blenniidae

Genus: Meiacanthus

FYI: One per aquarium

Small shrimp and feather dusters are at risk of being eaten.

Has venomous fangs used mostly for defense.

Experience Level: Intermediate

Temperament: Semi-aggressive

Diet: Omnivore

Coral Safe: Yes

Fish Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: With caution

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Tankmates: Peaceful

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons

Temperature Range: 74 - 83°F (23 – 28°C)

Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5