WHATSTHATFISH
Bony fish

Xestus Sabretooth Blenny

Petroscirtes xestus

Also known as: Bearded Sabretooth Blenny, Coral Blenny, Sabretooth Blenny, Sabre-toothed Blenny, Smooth Blenny, Striped Poisonfang Mimic Benny, Xestus Fangblenny

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2026
Adult
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01

Overview

Found singly, close to their burrows, over shallow, sand and weedy areas, of reef flats, and in shallow lagoons.
Juveniles found sheltering with upside down jellyfish.

Coombtooth Blennies are the largest family of bennies, found in both tropical and subtropical waters and freshwater habitats, as the name suggests they have comb like teeth lining their jaws.
Sabretooth Blennies have teeth to match their name!
They can be seen darting forward to sever flesh from fishes fins. (can sometimes be seen taking a swipe at divers as well) They will then dart back into their holes out of harm's way.
Some blennies will mimic cleaner wrasses to get close enough for a nip at fish.
Some Sabretooth Blennies are venomous.

02

How to identify

Behaviour
solitary

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

03

Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Indo-Pacific
LIVES IN

Found singly, close to their burrows, over shallow, sand and weedy areas, of reef flats, and in shallow lagoons.

04

Adult photos 0

06

Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

    Deep dive

    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumChordata
    3. classTeleostei
    4. orderBlenniiformes
    5. familyBlenniidae
    6. genusPetroscirtes
    7. speciesPetroscirtes xestus Jordan & Seale, 1906

    SourcesWoRMSFishBase

    07

    More in the family

    Combtooth Blennies (Blenniidae)