Description:

Yellowtail Fang Blenny

Overview

The Forktail Blenny, scientifically known as Meiacanthus atrodorsalis has a unique forked tail with two long outer spines and five shorter middle spines. Its body is pale blue, fading into bluish-yellow at the tail.

They need at least a 115 litre with live rock for hunting and grazing. It’s best to keep only one unless you want a breeding pair.
They can bite if they feel threatened, so be cautious, especially around children.

Feed them finely chopped crustacean flesh, mysis shrimp, vitamin-enriched brine shrimp, and frozen herbivore food.

Description and Appearance:

• Distinctive Tail: As its name suggests, it has a vibrant yellow tail that contrasts beautifully with its grey-blue body.
• Fang Blenny: It belongs to the Meiacanthus genus, which is characterized by the presence of venomous fangs in their lower jaw. These fangs are a defensive mechanism, used to deter predators by delivering a mild, though painful, bite if ingested.
• “Eyelash” Marking: Some common names, like “Eyelash Harptail Blenny,” refer to a short oblique bar through the eye.
• Size: They typically grow to about 7.5 to 11 cm (3-4.3 inches) in length.
• Forked Tail: They have a distinctive forked tail (lyretail), hence another common name, “Forktail Blenny.”

Natural Habitat:

• Native to the Indo-Pacific region, including areas around Australia, Indonesia, Fiji, the Philippines, and Micronesia.
• They inhabit shallow coral reefs, lagoons, and rocky outcrops, seeking refuge in crevices or under ledges.

Care Requirements for the Aquarium:

• Tank Size: A minimum of 75-100 liters (20-26 gallons) is recommended for a single Yellowtail Fang Blenny. Larger tanks are better, especially if you plan to keep other fish.
• Aquascape: Provide plenty of live rock with crevices and hiding spots to mimic their natural environment. A sandy substrate is also ideal.
• Lid: They are known jumpers, so a secure lid is essential to prevent them from escaping.
• Water Parameters:
  • Temperature: 23-27C (74-80F)
  • pH: 8.1-8.4
  • Specific Gravity (Salinity): 1.020-1.025
  • Water Quality: Maintain pristine water conditions with 0 ppm ammonia and nitrite, and nitrates below 20 ppm. Good filtration, including a protein skimmer, is recommended.
• Flow: They prefer moderate to low water flow.
• Lighting: Moderate to bright lighting is suitable, supporting natural algae growth.
• Lifespan: With proper care, they can live for 2-7 years in captivity.

Diet and Feeding:

• Omnivore with Meaty Preference: Yellowtail Fang Blennies are omnivores but have a strong preference for meaty foods.
• Variety is Key: Offer a varied diet including high-quality marine flake or pellet foods, frozen mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, finely chopped seafood, and occasional algae-based foods (like dried seaweed or algae wafers).
• Feeding Frequency: Feed small amounts 2-3 times daily, ensuring they consume the food within a few minutes. Some sources suggest they may also graze on zooplankton and small benthic invertebrates in the aquarium.

Temperament and Compatibility:

• Generally Peaceful: Yellowtail Fang Blennies are generally peaceful and are considered good community fish.
• Territorial towards Similar Species: They can be territorial towards other blennies, especially those with similar body shapes or colors. It’s generally best to keep only one Yellowtail Fang Blenny per tank unless it’s a confirmed mated pair in a sufficiently large aquarium.
• Reef Safe: Yes, they are considered reef safe. They do not typically bother corals or most invertebrates. However, some sources suggest caution with very small ornamental shrimp or feather duster worms, as they might be seen as food.
• Tank Mates: Compatible tank mates include:
  • Clownfish
  • Cardinalfish
  • Gobies (of different body shapes)
  • Dwarf and larger angelfish (with caution on size difference)
  • Butterflyfish
  • Tangs
  • Wrasses (especially peaceful fairy and flasher wrasses)
  • Filefish
  • Pufferfish
• Avoid: Avoid housing them with large, aggressive predators that might view them as prey, despite their venomous defense.

Special Considerations:

• Venomous Bite: While they possess venomous fangs for defense, they are rarely a threat to humans. A bite is generally compared to a bee sting. Exercise caution when handling them in a net or when performing tank maintenance.
• Mimicry: In the wild, some species of Plagiotremus blennies mimic the appearance of Meiacanthus blennies (including the Yellowtail Fang Blenny) to avoid predation, as predators learn to avoid the venomous blennies.
• Breeding: Breeding Yellowtail Fang Blennies in captivity is challenging but possible. They are egg-layers, and males guard the eggs until they hatch. Providing suitable nesting sites (like small PVC pipes or crevices) can encourage breeding behavior.

Compatibility Information