Yellowtail Poison-fang Blenny

About

The eyelash harptail blenny (Meiacanthus atrodorsalis) is one of those fish that punches well above its weight in terms of attitude and ecological intrigue. Across its wide range in the Western Pacific, from Bali and the Philippines out to Samoa and through much of Micronesia, it's a common sight along reef slopes and drop-offs, typically hanging in open water rather than wedging itself into crevices like many of its blenny relatives. The forked tail and bold stripe pattern are distinctive, but the real story is what's hidden in its mouth: grooved fangs connected to venom glands. Predators quickly learn to leave it alone, and at least two other species have evolved to mimic its coloration, effectively freeloading on its hard-earned reputation. In the aquarium this translates to a fish that holds its own confidently in a community setting. It picks at zooplankton and small invertebrates in the wild, and adapts readily to prepared and frozen foods in captivity. It's best housed with fish of similar size and temperament. Its confidence doesn't mean it's aggressive, but it won't be pushed around either. A genuinely interesting mid-water fish for a reef or FOWLR setup with some open swimming space.