Colours

Distinguishing features

A small elongate fish with a white belly and a dark stripe running the length of the body, with a series of regular blotches through the mid-section.

Size

Depth range

Synonyms

Distribution

Distribution and habitat preferences

Coral rich areas in lagoons and back reef habitats, and reef fronts outside the surge zone. The fish usually has a hole in the reef into which it retreats tail first if threatened.

Found in most reef habitats around the island.

Behaviour

The Piano Fangblenny is a solitary species which attacks other reef fishes to feed on the mucous, scales and skin tissue it removes with its sharp teeth. Unlike its congeneric the Bluestriped Fangblenny, it does not appear to mimic the Common Cleanerfish. Rather, the Piano Fangblenny relies on a rapid rush to attack unsuspecting fishes.

Web resources

References