Meiacanthus atrodorsalis

(Gunther, 1877)

Forktail Blenny, Yellowtail Fangblenny, Eyelash Harp-Tail Blenny

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Bali and the Philippines east to Samoa, north to Southern Japan, south to Rowley Shoals, southern Great Barrier Reef, New Caledonia; and throughout Micronesia.

Size: 4 inches (10 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits lagoon and seaward reefs below surge zone. Usually found between depths of 3 – 100 feet (1 – 30 m) where it mainly feeds upon small crustaceans.

General Husbandry: Occasionally seen in the trade and usually having a pale blue frontal body, with the remaining body, dorsal and anal fins yellow, along with the upper and lower lobes of the deeply forked tail, yellow. There’s also a thin black line through the eye and slightly above, hence the common ‘eye-lash’ name.

Can be maintained in either fish-only or reef aquariums having rocky areas with caves to hide and/or explore while looking for tasty crustaceans to consume.

Basically requires a meaty diet, e.g., fortified brine shrimp, mysis, and other meaty type marine fresh or frozen foods, along with some herbivore foods and all should be finely chopped and fed twice daily.

Taxonomy:

Order: Perciformes

Suborder: Blennioidei

Family: Blenniidae

Genus: Meiacanthus

FYI: One per aquarium

Small shrimp and feather dusters are at risk of being eaten.

Has venomous fangs used mostly for defense.

Experience Level: Intermediate

Temperament: Semi-aggressive

Diet: Omnivore

Coral Safe: Yes

Fish Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: With caution

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Tankmates: Peaceful

Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons

Temperature Range: 74 - 83°F (23 – 28°C)

Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5