🐠 Harptail Blenny (Meiacanthus mossambicus)
🐠 Harptail Blenny (Meiacanthus mossambicus)
Marine Fish • Reef-Safe Fang Blenny • Community-Friendly • Venomous Defender
📋 The Harptail Blenny (Meiacanthus mossambicus) is a slender, vibrantly patterned fang blenny known for its distinctive black-and-white striped body and gracefully tapered tail that forms a harp-like shape. Despite possessing mild venomous fangs, it is a peaceful and reef-safe species that thrives in community tanks.
Highly active and curious, the Harptail Blenny adds constant movement to the mid-water zones of marine aquariums while staying coral-friendly and easy to maintain. Its contrasting colouration and gentle nature make it a popular choice for nano to medium reef displays.
💡 Highlights
✨ Distinctive Striped Pattern: Clean black-and-white contrast adds elegance
⚪ Peaceful Nature: Excellent for mixed reef communities
📏 Compact and Hardy: Perfect for small and medium aquariums
✅ Captive-Bred Availability: Reliable supply and strong adaptation
🐠 Venomous Defender: Fangs used only for self-defense – safe for keepers
🧾 A Quick Look at the Harptail Blenny
📛 Common Name: Harptail Blenny
🔬 Scientific Name: Meiacanthus mossambicus
👨👩👧 Family: Blenniidae
🌍 Origin: Western Pacific – Indonesia, Philippines, Papua New Guinea
📏 Max Size: 10 cm (≈ 4 inches)
💧 pH Range: 8.1 – 8.4
🌡️ Temperature Range: 24 – 28 °C (≈ 75 – 82 °F)
🧠 Care Level: Easy to Intermediate
💖 Temperament: Peaceful but territorial toward similar species
🪸 Reef Safe: ✅ Yes
🏠 Min Tank Size: 114 L (≈ 30 US gallons)
📌 Tank Level: Mid to upper water column
🧬 Captive Bred: ❌ No
🌿 Wild Caught: ✅ Yes
⏳ Lifespan: 4 – 6 years
🍽️ Diet: Carnivore – small meaty foods, zooplankton
🐣 Reproduction: Egg-layer; male guards the clutch
















