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Reef Fish Guide designation and why
Take it home
Although a lot of these species are not common in the aquarium trade, they are becoming more popular as captive breeding techniques are enhanced. One characteristic that keeps them from being more common is their stinging fangs. If attacked, these blennies do not hesitate to use their fangs; however they are rarely bothered by other fish.
Distribution
This species occurs in tropical marine waters of the Indo Pacific, Western and Central Pacific, from the Red Sea, north to Japan, throughout Micronesia, south to Australia and east to Marquesas Islands.
Maximum Size
Ranges from 3.1 - 4.3 inches (8 - 11 cm)
Care Requirements
Minimum tank size is suggested at about 20 gallons being that these are small fish. Fang blennies spend most of their time hovering the water column and won’t bother other tankmates unless they are related. Only one specimen should be housed per tank unless a pair is acquired and introduced in a large tank simultaneously.
Food: These fish eat a varied diet including finely chopped crustacean flesh, mysid shrimp, vitamin-enriched brine shrimp, as well as frozen preparations for herbivores. Although you should feed your fang blenny about three times a day, it may have health issues unless you have a tank well established with plenty of live rock. That way these blennies can hunt and feed on their natural prey or small crustaceans.
Compatibility: These fish get a poor compatibility rating due to their poisonous fangs. They should not be housed with damsels or other aggressive speices because they will most likely be harassed. However if a predator tries to eat a fang blenny, it will probably bite the inside of its mouth and be promptly spit out.
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