Striped blenny, also known as Striped Fang Blenny, Grammistes Blenny, Line-spot Harptail Blenny, or Striped Poison-fang Blenny, is a type of combtooth blenny fish.
It comes from the western Pacific Ocean and can be found in open waters. The fish sometimes travels into shallow saltwater and brackish estuaries.
This venomous species is occasionally sold in the aquarium trade. It’s a solitary fish that lives in protected lagoons and seaward reefs.
You may see several adults close together, but they usually stay alone.
There are different variations of this species depending on their location, and it’s often mimicked by another type of blenny called Petroscirtes breviceps.
Both fangs and venom glands are present in this species. In terms of reef safety for aquariums, striped blenny is safe for coral reefs.
Striped Blenny Interesting Facts
- Striped blenny is a venomous species native to the Western Pacific and thrives in tropical reef environments.
- It can grow up to 4.3 inches (11.0 centimeters) long and has unique lined patterns on its body that turn into spots near the tail fin.
- The fish reproduces by laying eggs, forming unique pairs for breeding.
- Considered safe for coral reefs, it’s suitable for aquariums and often mimicked by another type of blenny called Petroscirtes breviceps.
Striped Blenny Habitat
Striped blenny is found in the Western Pacific.
Its habitat stretches from Indochina to Papua New Guinea, up north to the Ryukyu Islands, and down south to northwest Australia and the Great Barrier Reef.
In southern Japan, it’s replaced by another species called Meiacanthus kamoharai.
This marine fish lives in reef environments at depths of 1 to 20 meters. It thrives in tropical waters with a latitude range of 30°N to 24°S.
| Water Temperature: | Unknown |
| Water pH: | Unknown |
| Water Hardness: | Unknown |
Striped Blenny Physical Characteristics
Size: 4.3 inches (11.0 centimeters)
Striped blenny grows up to 4.3 inches (11.0 centimeters) long. It has 4 dorsal spines on its back and around 25 to 28 soft rays near those spines.
The fish also has 2 anal spines and around 14 to 16 soft rays near them.
A key feature of this fish is the lined pattern on its body that turns into spots near the base of its tail fin.
Striped Blenny Reproduction
Striped blenny forms unique pairs for breeding. It’s an egg-laying species with eggs that attach to surfaces using a sticky pad or pedestal.
Their larvae are free-swimming and typically found in shallow coastal waters.
Striped Blenny Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Actinopterygii |
| Order: | Blenniiformes |
| Family: | Blenniidae |
| Genus: | Meiacanthus |
| Scientific Name: | Meiacanthus grammistes |
| Also Known As: | Striped Blenny, Striped Fang Blenny, Grammistes Blenny, Line-Spot Harptail Blenny, Striped Poison-Fang Blenny |
| Conservation Status: | Least Concern |