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    Blennies

    Striped fang blenny

    Meiacanthus grammistes

    Also sold as Striped blenny, Lined fangblenny

    Striped fang blenny (Meiacanthus grammistes), photographed in the sea or an aquarium
    Photo: Haplochromis, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
    Care level
    Beginner
    Adult size
    12.7 cm in aquariums
    Minimum tank
    114 litres
    Temperament
    Mostly peaceful
    With corals
    Reef safe
    Captive-bred
    Occasionally captive-bred
    IUCN status
    Least Concern
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    How do you care for the striped fang blenny?

    Semi-aggressive towards similar body shapes.

    Feeding

    Omnivore.

    Takes frozen foods readily.

    Tank and special needs

    Plan for at least 114 litres of water (the care sheet says 30 US gallons).

    Live rock; lid.

    Why this care level

    LiveAquaria rates moderate.

    Corals and invertebrates

    None.

    Which tankmates suit the striped fang blenny?

    Venomous bite deters predators; avoid with other fang blennies in small tanks.

    Suggested order in a mixed tank: add after the first peaceful fish.

    More than one striped fang blenny

    Keep one striped fang blenny: two of the same species usually fight.

    Other fish

    Checked against the other 59 fish in this guide, assuming a tank big enough for both. Individual fish differ, so treat this as a starting point.

    Avoid together (4)

    • Lawnmower blennyBoth are blennys of similar shape, which is a common trigger for fights.
    • Bicolor blennyBoth are blennys of similar shape, which is a common trigger for fights.
    • Midas blennyBoth are blennys of similar shape, which is a common trigger for fights.
    • Tailspot blennyBoth are blennys of similar shape, which is a common trigger for fights.
    Usually fine together (55)

    Invertebrates

    Only the invertebrates with a known risk are listed.

    Take care (2)

    • Tiger tail sea cucumberA stressed or dead tiger tail sea cucumber can release toxins that harm fish; cover pump intakes.
    • Sea appleA stressed or dead sea apple can release toxins that harm fish; cover pump intakes.

    Corals and anemones

    Only the corals and anemones with a known risk are listed.

    No known problems with the corals and anemones in this guide.

    These checks follow the reasons fish and invertebrates clash: same species or genus, similar shape, mouth size, temperament, food, burrows, tank size and the order they are added. Individual animals differ; every source agrees on that.

    Quarantine and health

    Standard; handle with care, venomous fangs.

    New fish are the most common way disease gets into a reef tank. Quarantine every fish in a separate tank before it joins the display, and choose a method that suits its tolerance of copper.

    Captive-bred or wild?

    Captive-bred available from some farms (ORA lists Meiacanthus species).

    Sources

    1. LiveAquaria (US retailer) care sheetRead 21 October 2026, read in full. Used for: stats.
    2. FishBase species summaryRead 21 October 2026, read in full. Used for: max length, IUCN.

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    Lawnmower blenny

    Salarias fasciatus

    Care
    Intermediate
    Adult size
    14 cm
    Tank from
    114 litres
    Temperament
    Mostly peaceful
    Corals
    Reef safe with caution

    Photo Dirk Godlinski, CC BY-SA 3.0

    Bicolor blenny

    Ecsenius bicolor

    Good first fish

    Care
    Beginner
    Adult size
    10 cm
    Tank from
    114 litres
    Temperament
    Mostly peaceful
    Corals
    Reef safe with caution

    Photo Brian Gratwicke, CC BY 2.0

    Midas blenny

    Ecsenius midas

    Care
    Beginner
    Adult size
    15 cm
    Tank from
    114 litres
    Temperament
    Mostly peaceful
    Corals
    Reef safe

    Photo BEDO (Thailand), CC BY-SA 4.0

    Tailspot blenny

    Ecsenius stigmatura

    Good first fish

    Care
    Beginner
    Tank from
    38 litres
    Temperament
    Peaceful
    Corals
    Reef safe with caution

    Photo Rickard Zerpe, CC BY 2.0