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Lined fangblenny (Meiacanthus lineatus) — Blenniidae

Lined fangblenny

Meiacanthus lineatus
Family: Blenniidae

The Lined fangblenny (Meiacanthus lineatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Blenniidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
9.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Omnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Venomous / poisonous
Range
Oceania: Australia

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Description

The Lined fangblenny is a fangblenny (Blenniidae) from the western Pacific. The species grows to about 9 cm and has a slender, yellow body. Dark longitudinal stripes run over the flank on a yellow ground. In the lower jaw it bears two large, venomous canine teeth; on a bite the venom delivers a numbing, painful jab that makes predators release it. To humans the bite is unpleasant but rarely serious; handle with care.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Lined fangblenny?

The Lined fangblenny has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly yellow-gold. Bears venomous spines or tissue; handle with great care.

Where does the Lined fangblenny live?

The Lined fangblenny lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: Australia

How big does the Lined fangblenny get?

The Lined fangblenny grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Lined fangblenny dangerous to humans?

The Lined fangblenny is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed. Handle the fish carefully; the two enlarged canine teeth can give a venomous bite. For a bite: rinse the wound with clean water, apply pressure to stop bleeding and cover with a sterile dressing. The pain and numbness usually subside on their own; for persistent symptoms or infection seek medical help.

More photos

Lined fangblenny (Meiacanthus lineatus) — Blenniidae — 2
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Lined fangblenny (Meiacanthus lineatus) — Blenniidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) amfstocker, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Lined fangblenny (Meiacanthus lineatus) — Blenniidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Julien Renoult, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Lined fangblenny (Meiacanthus lineatus) — Blenniidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) illusions2, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Lined fangblenny sourced
Scientific name
Meiacanthus lineatus
Family
Blenniidae
Other names
Lined fangblenny; Yellow-lined harp-tail; Yellow-lined harptail blenny verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
9.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Yellow / gold sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Natural range
Oceania: Australia sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Invertebrates, algae and detritus inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Bears venomous spines or tissue; handle with great care. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Venomous / poisonous verified
First aid
Handle the fish carefully; the two enlarged canine teeth can give a venomous bite. For a bite: rinse the wound with clean water, apply pressure to stop bleeding and cover with a sterile dressing. The pain and numbness usually subside on their own; for persistent symptoms or infection seek medical help. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Meiacanthus

More from the family Blenniidae

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