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Sulu fangblenny (Meiacanthus abditus) — Blenniidae

Sulu fangblenny

Meiacanthus abditus
Family: Blenniidae

The Sulu fangblenny (Meiacanthus abditus) is a saltwater fish of the family Blenniidae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
11 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
3.0–40.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Venomous / poisonous

Description

The Sulu fangblenny is a small blenny (Blenniidae) from the western Pacific, around the Sulu Sea. The species grows to about 11 cm and has a slender, yellow-brown body. Distinctive are two large, grooved venom fangs in the lower jaw: when it bites it delivers a mild venom that deters predators. As a reef-dweller it hovers above coral and picks small zooplankton. To humans it is virtually harmless, but a bite when handled can inject mild venom.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Sulu fangblenny?

The Sulu fangblenny has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly yellow-gold.

Where does the Sulu fangblenny live?

The Sulu fangblenny lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Sulu fangblenny get?

The Sulu fangblenny grows to a maximum of about 11 cm.

Is the Sulu fangblenny dangerous to humans?

The Sulu fangblenny is venomous — handle spines with care and seek medical help after a sting if needed.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Sulu-gifkiesslijmvis sourced
English name
Sulu fangblenny sourced
Scientific name
Meiacanthus abditus
Family
Blenniidae
Other names
Upside-down harptail blenny verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
3.0 verified
Max depth (m)
40.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Territorial
Yes inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Venomous / poisonous verified

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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