Fang blenny — printable fact sheet

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Fang blenny

Meiacanthus grammistes

The fang blenny is a small, vibrantly colored marine fish known for its elongated body and striking horizontal stripes. Native to the coral reefs of the Indo-Pacific region, this fish is renowned for its unique defense mechanism: venomous fangs located in its lower jaw. Fang ble…

Classification

Fish

Family

Blenniidae

Habitat

Coral reefs

Diet

Omnivore

Conservation status

Least Concern

Lifespan

2-4 years

Weight

2-6 grams

Scientific name

Meiacanthus grammistes

Did you know?

Fang blenny venom is being studied for its potential use in developing new painkillers for humans.
Fang blennies have evolved venom not to kill predators but to discourage them through pain and confusion. Their venom contains opioid-like proteins, making bites surprisingly effective against larger fish. Some fang blenny species also mimic the appearance of harmless fish to approach potential prey or avoid predators.

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