Fish Coral Inverts

Forktail Blenny

Meiacanthus atrodorsalis

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Suggested Tank

30+ gallons

Max Size

4.5 inches

Difficulty

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Description

A slender, elegant fang blenny with a lavender-blue head fading to yellow across the rear body and a deeply forked, lyre-shaped tail, marked by a blue-edged black stripe running back from the eye. It hovers and swims in the open water column rather than perching on the bottom like most blennies, and is peaceful with tankmates though it may squabble with similarly shaped blennies or other Meiacanthus. Venomous grooved canines in the lower jaw make it largely immune to predation, so it can be kept with many larger fish; provide rockwork for retreats and a tight-fitting lid, as it will jump.

Reef Safe

Yes

Environment

Forktail Blennies thrive in a well-established aquarium with plenty of hiding spots and swimming space. They prefer a reef environment with live rock where they can graze and hide. They are tolerant of a range of water conditions but prefer stable conditions with good water quality.

Behavior

This species is known for being peaceful and relatively shy. They are not known to be aggressive towards other species, but can be territorial with their own kind. They are active swimmers and spend a lot of their time hiding in rocks or burrows.

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