{"product_id":"grammistes-blenny","title":"Grammistes Blenny | Meiacanthus grammistes","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Grammistes Blenny, better known as the Striped Poison-fang Blenny, is a smart, confident little fish marked with bold black-and-yellow horizontal stripes that break into spots towards the tail. Reaching around 11 cm, it hovers and swims freely in the open, unusually bold for its size, because it carries a clever defence: enlarged, venom-loaded fangs that make most predators leave it well alone. This natural armour means it is hardy, reef safe and a genuinely easy fish to keep, well suited to beginners and experienced reefers alike.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eMeiacanthus grammistes is found across the Western Pacific, from Indonesia and the Philippines to northern Australia, on coastal and lagoon reefs. It occupies small holes and crevices in the rock, darting out to pick at plankton and small invertebrates. Because its venomous bite deters predators, it can afford to swim more openly than most small reef fish. In the aquarium it needs live rock with plenty of nooks and small caves to shelter in and call home.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe body is slender and elongate, patterned with three or four bold black stripes on a bright yellow to greenish-yellow ground, the stripes breaking into a dotted pattern near the lyre-shaped tail. The face is pointed with large eyes. Several harmless mimic species copy this exact pattern to borrow its protection, a testament to how effective the warning colouration is. Healthy specimens are alert, swim confidently in the open and show crisp, high-contrast markings.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemperament is peaceful, though it can become territorial towards other blennies, gobies or dartfish in smaller tanks. Towards unrelated fish it is a good community citizen and is safe with corals and invertebrates. Its venomous fangs are strictly defensive, used only if the fish is attacked or, very rarely, if it is roughly handled. It should be housed as the only fang blenny in most aquariums unless the tank is large.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeeding is easy. This blenny is an omnivore with a fast metabolism, so it should be offered small meals two to three times a day. Provide a varied diet of enriched mysis, vitamin-soaked brine shrimp, finely chopped meaty foods and quality marine flake or pellet, along with some algae-based or herbivore foods. It feeds readily from the water column and quickly settles into a routine, making it a straightforward fish to keep well fed.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum aquarium of around 110 L. Maintain temperature at 24-27°C, pH 8.1-8.4 and salinity around 1.020-1.026. The key requirement is ample live rock with small holes and crevices for shelter, where the fish will establish a home base. Moderate flow and standard marine or reef lighting suit it well. A secure lid is sensible, as blennies can jump. Hardy and undemanding once settled, this is an excellent, colourful choice for a peaceful reef community.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis species is one of the more frequently captive-bred blennies. Fang blennies lay adhesive eggs in a crevice or vacated shell, which are guarded until they hatch, and dedicated breeders have had success rearing the larvae on live foods. In a typical home aquarium, spawning may occur but rearing the young requires a separate, carefully managed system. Captive-bred individuals are increasingly available and tend to settle especially well.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMeiacanthus grammistes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eStriped Poison-fang Blenny (Grammistes Blenny)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWestern Pacific coastal and lagoon reefs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e11 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4-6 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful (territorial to other blennies)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e110 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e150 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOmnivore; meaty foods and some algae-based foods\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24-27°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8.1-8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable for marine fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.020-1.026\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef and fish-only community aquariums\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include clownfish, small wrasses, cardinalfish, anthias, dwarf angels and other peaceful reef community fish, along with corals and ornamental invertebrates.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with other fang blennies, similar blennies, gobies or dartfish in smaller tanks where territorial disputes may arise, as well as large aggressive fish that could bully it.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234126348579,"sku":"AA1757-S-AU","price":40.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234126381347,"sku":"AA1757","price":61.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234126414115,"sku":"AA1757-L-AU","price":70.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562751738147,"sku":"AA1757-S-IMP","price":40.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Captive Bred","offer_id":55562751770915,"sku":"AA1757-S-CB","price":40.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562751803683,"sku":"AA1757-M-IMP","price":61.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Captive Bred","offer_id":55562751836451,"sku":"AA1757-M-CB","price":61.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm) \/ Imported","offer_id":55562751869219,"sku":"AA1757-L-IMP","price":70.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm) \/ Captive Bred","offer_id":55562751901987,"sku":"AA1757-L-CB","price":70.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/grammistes-blenny-43090641125667.webp?v=1790305845","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/grammistes-blenny","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}