Black Fang Blenny bite venomous?
- Thread starter Fredy
- Start date
Fredy
Premium Member
I gotta disagree. This little sucker chases and snaps at my other fish. He thinks he's a Rottweiler. :lol:
AfricaOffroad
New member
I've been bitten while diving by one of these little buggers.
It was surprisingly painful.
One of the reasons I wont put one in my tank, they are fish nippers.
I do believe that some of the Meiacanthus species have a poisonous bite
It was surprisingly painful.
One of the reasons I wont put one in my tank, they are fish nippers.
I do believe that some of the Meiacanthus species have a poisonous bite
Fredy
Premium Member
Species of the genus Meiacanthus are generally what people mean when they say "fang blenny", at least here in the states. They are not fish/fin nippers. They are actually great reef fish...bright colors, small size, mellow disposition. They do have fangs, and venom, so no one bothers them either. I have been bitten (removing one from a net). It hurts. The fangs are surpringly large.
Blitzburggirl
Member
I have one. His name is Monster Truck and he holds his own in my 180. No one messes with him, and that's saying alot since I have an obnoxious purple tang.... Anyway, here he is, and yes, he's aggressive if I go anywhere near one of "his holes" and he has claimed every "hole" in the rockwork as his.
He's bit me, and having been bitten by large clowns before, I'll say this is slightly worse. He usually draws blood when he gets me good. Cool fish though! He's not going anywhere I can deal with it
He's bit me, and having been bitten by large clowns before, I'll say this is slightly worse. He usually draws blood when he gets me good. Cool fish though! He's not going anywhere I can deal with it
Fredy
Premium Member
Ok, I finally found him on the net.
http://www.reefhotspot.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=555
It does not say anything about venom? But you have to see the size of his fangs, they are HUGE!
I'll try and get an actual pic of him. He has a distinct royal blue line that goes down the top of his sailfin to his yellow tail. The yellow on his tail is just around the outside of the tail not the whole tail.
LOL! Ima scared-e cat!
Fredy
http://www.reefhotspot.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=555
It does not say anything about venom? But you have to see the size of his fangs, they are HUGE!
I'll try and get an actual pic of him. He has a distinct royal blue line that goes down the top of his sailfin to his yellow tail. The yellow on his tail is just around the outside of the tail not the whole tail.
LOL! Ima scared-e cat!
Fredy
Last edited:
Jacob D
New member
My experience has been the same with them, other than getting bitten which I haven't had the pleasure of. I had a pair of M. grammistes which were great fish and never paid attention to any other fish in my tank.
My experience with Ecsenius species has been the opposite; I've actually found them to be somewhat aggressive, especially when they get larger.
velvetelvis
Active member
I've kept Meiacanthus species several times and never had problems with them, even been able to catch them in my hand (although I probably wouldn't recommend this). They were completely peaceful towards even the smallest fish...the only exception was other members of their own species (at least IME). I've seen different species from this genus kept together successfully in a larger system, however.
HOWEVER...there is another group of blennies (Aspidontus and Plagiotremus spp.) that go by the common name of "fangblennies" or "saber-toothed" blennies, and these do attack other fishes, because they're flesh- and scale-eaters. They also possess enlarged fangs like the Meiacanthus blennies, but these are used for attack, rather than defense. They often mimic cleaner wrasses or Meiacanthus blennies in appearance. I don't think these are offered for sale as often, but you do see them from time to time, maybe out of mistaken identification or just ignorance. I have the feeling that people who report aggression towards other fishes from their fangblennies are actually keeping members of those genuses, probably without being aware of it.
HOWEVER...there is another group of blennies (Aspidontus and Plagiotremus spp.) that go by the common name of "fangblennies" or "saber-toothed" blennies, and these do attack other fishes, because they're flesh- and scale-eaters. They also possess enlarged fangs like the Meiacanthus blennies, but these are used for attack, rather than defense. They often mimic cleaner wrasses or Meiacanthus blennies in appearance. I don't think these are offered for sale as often, but you do see them from time to time, maybe out of mistaken identification or just ignorance. I have the feeling that people who report aggression towards other fishes from their fangblennies are actually keeping members of those genuses, probably without being aware of it.
velvetelvis
Active member
Fredy, what you have isn't one of the venomous fangblennies, which are Meiacanthus spp. They feed on plankton and other small foods in the water column, and the large fangs are used only in self-defense. Your blenny is a different genus altogether--non-venomous, although apparently not non-aggressive. 
Either way, I don't think you need to worry.
Either way, I don't think you need to worry.
Fredy
Premium Member
Fredy, what you have isn't one of the venomous fangblennies, which are Meiacanthus spp. They feed on plankton and other small foods in the water column, and the large fangs are used only in self-defense. Your blenny is a different genus altogether--non-venomous, although apparently not non-aggressive.
Good to know. I'll keep you posted if he does strike! :eek1:
Thanks,
Fredy
velvetelvis
Active member
:lol:
It happens. Ocellaris clownfish are supposed to be one of the most peaceful SW fishes, but one of mine pranged me the other day when I was cleaning the tank and getting too close to their precious anemone. But other days, I've actually shooed them away when they interfere while I'm trying to feed the nem, and all they do is hover around looking ticked off...you never know. Still, it's one of the things that makes reefkeeping interesting--you're always learning something new.
It happens. Ocellaris clownfish are supposed to be one of the most peaceful SW fishes, but one of mine pranged me the other day when I was cleaning the tank and getting too close to their precious anemone. But other days, I've actually shooed them away when they interfere while I'm trying to feed the nem, and all they do is hover around looking ticked off...you never know. Still, it's one of the things that makes reefkeeping interesting--you're always learning something new.
Aquariumjoy
New member
Fredy, I purchased a black fang blenny that appears to be the same as yours about a week ago. I did not know about the fangs when I purchased him. He is really great, but I would like to know more about him. Can't find much online. Do you know what these blennies are called? Has yours bitten anyone (fish or human)? Is he really not venomous?
nanoreefer1000
Active member
Looks like a Tribal blenny (Atrosalarias Sp.) or Black Come-tooth blenny(Ecsenius namiyei), not a Meiacanthus.:reading:I have one. His name is Monster Truck and he holds his own in my 180. No one messes with him, and that's saying alot since I have an obnoxious purple tang.... Anyway, here he is, and yes, he's aggressive if I go anywhere near one of "his holes" and he has claimed every "hole" in the rockwork as his.
He's bit me, and having been bitten by large clowns before, I'll say this is slightly worse. He usually draws blood when he gets me good. Cool fish though! He's not going anywhere I can deal with it
Reef264
Where's The Reef?
I have one. His name is Monster Truck and he holds his own in my 180. No one messes with him, and that's saying alot since I have an obnoxious purple tang.... Anyway, here he is, and yes, he's aggressive if I go anywhere near one of "his holes" and he has claimed every "hole" in the rockwork as his.
He's bit me, and having been bitten by large clowns before, I'll say this is slightly worse. He usually draws blood when he gets me good. Cool fish though! He's not going anywhere I can deal with it
I don't mean to jump off topic too far,
But that is a great photo!Also a Great Looking Monti Cap!Great color!
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