WHATSTHATFISH
Bony fish

Yellowtail Fangblenny

Meiacanthus atrodorsalis

Also known as: Eyelash Fangblenny, Eyelash Harptail, Eyelash Harptail Blenny, Fang Blenny, Forktail Blenny, Forktail Fangblenny, Lyretail Blenny, Lyretail Fangblenny, Poisonfang Blenny, Sabretooth Blenny, Sabre-toothed Blenny, Yellowtail Poisonfang Blenny

LCLeast ConcernIUCN Red List, 2014
VenomousKeep your distance
Adult
@JolineCuracao · Puerto Galera, Philippines · April 20241 / 2
01

Overview

Found singly, pairs or small schools, in surge zone areas, over drop-off's and slopes of lagoons and seaward reefs.

Combtooth Blennies are the largest family of blennies, found in both tropical and subtropical waters and freshwater habitats, as the name suggests they have comb like teeth lining their jaws, well suited for scraping food off hard surfaces!
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.
A few Sabretooth Blennies are venomous.

02

How to identify

Tap any trait to see other fish that share it.

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Habitat & where to find it

  • Range · Western Pacific
  • Country only · 2
LIVES IN

Found singly, pairs or small schools, in surge zone areas, over drop-off's and slopes of lagoons and seaward reefs.

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Adult photos 2

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Discussion

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    ALL STAGES
    FOR THE MARINE-BIOLOGY CURIOUS

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    Taxonomy

    1. kingdomAnimalia
    2. phylumChordata
    3. classTeleostei
    4. orderBlenniiformes
    5. familyBlenniidae
    6. genusMeiacanthus
    7. speciesMeiacanthus atrodorsalis (Günther, 1877)

    SourcesWoRMSFishBase

    07

    More in the family

    Combtooth Blennies (Blenniidae)