{"product_id":"harptail-blenny-meiacanthus-mossambicus-saltwater","title":"Harptail Blenny (Meiacanthus mossambicus)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;color:#1a1a1a;max-width:860px;line-height:1.7;\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E0F7FA;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eHarptail Blenny\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eMeiacanthus mossambicus\u003c\/em\u003e), also sold as the Mozambique Fangblenny or Lyretail Fangblenny, is the blenny for people who want a blenny that actually swims. Most blennies perch on rock and dart between hiding spots. This one hovers out in open water like a small wrasse, drifting mid-tank with its long forked tail trailing behind it, and it does this all day where you can see it. Soft olive to yellow with dark shoulder striping and that unmistakable harp-shaped tail. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/salt-water\"\u003esaltwater fish\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reason it can afford to hang in open water is that it is venomous. Fangblennies in the genus \u003cem\u003eMeiacanthus\u003c\/em\u003e carry grooved fangs with a mild venom, and a predator that swallows one gets bitten from the inside and spits it straight back out. Reef fish learn this fast, so a Harptail cruises around unbothered by things that would eat a similar-sized goby.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 30 gallons and up with live rock. It uses open water, so give it some room to cruise rather than a rock-packed nano.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e omnivore with a fast metabolism. Feed small amounts two to three times a day rather than one big feeding. Frozen mysis, enriched brine, and a quality marine pellet or flake. A skinny fangblenny is an underfed one.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e genuinely peaceful. It rarely bothers tankmates and its venom means tankmates rarely bother it. One per tank unless the system is large, since same-genus fangblennies will spar.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReef safe:\u003c\/strong\u003e yes, completely. It ignores corals, clams, and ornamental inverts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater:\u003c\/strong\u003e 72 to 78°F, salinity 1.020 to 1.025, pH 8.1 to 8.4. Hardy and forgiving once settled.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHandling:\u003c\/strong\u003e do not hand feed and do not handle it without gloves. The venom is not dangerous to people, but a bite still hurts.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLid recommended:\u003c\/strong\u003e like most active reef fish it can jump.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:640px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eHarptail Blenny, Mozambique Fangblenny, Lyretail Fangblenny\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eMeiacanthus mossambicus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eWestern Indian Ocean, commonly captive bred\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePeaceful\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdult size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eUp to about 3.5 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum tank\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e30 gallons\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReef safe\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eOmnivore, feed 2 to 3 small meals daily\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVenomous\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eYes, defensive fangs. Not dangerous to people, but do not hand feed\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e72 to 78°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSalinity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e1.020 to 1.025\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e8.1 to 8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater type\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eSaltwater\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExcellent in a peaceful reef community: clownfish, cardinalfish, gobies, wrasses, small tangs, and dottybacks such as our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/orchid-dottyback-pseudochromis-fridmani-saltwater\"\u003eOrchid Dottyback\u003c\/a\u003e. Safe with all inverts, including \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/scarlet-skunk-cleaner-shrimp-lysmata-amboinensis-saltwater\"\u003ecleaner shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e and cleanup crews.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe venom makes it unusually safe around larger fish, but do not take that as licence to house it with a lionfish or a big grouper. And keep only one \u003cem\u003eMeiacanthus\u003c\/em\u003e unless the tank is large, since they recognise each other as rivals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-mysis-shrimp-cube-3-5oz\"\u003eSFBB Frozen Mysis Shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e, the staple for small carnivorous reef fish\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/pe-pellets-saltwater-1mm-2oz\"\u003ePiscine Energetics 1 mm Saltwater Pellets\u003c\/a\u003e for dry daily feeding\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBrowse the full \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/salt-water\"\u003esaltwater\u003c\/a\u003e selection for tankmates and reef supplies\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it dangerous to me?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNot really. The venom is a defence against being swallowed and it is not medically significant to humans. It can still bite, so use a net rather than your hand and skip hand feeding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it reef safe?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCompletely. It leaves corals, clams, and ornamental shrimp alone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill bigger fish eat it?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMost learn not to. Predators that swallow a fangblenny get bitten inside the mouth and release it, so they are left alone far more than a fish this size normally would be. That is not a guarantee against a large predator, though.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I keep two?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOnly in a large tank. Two fangblennies in a 30 gallon will pick at each other. One is the safe answer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes it eat algae like other blennies?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. Despite the name it is not a grazer. It is an omnivore that feeds in the water column, so do not buy one to control algae. A \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/lawnmower-blenny-salarias-fasciatus-saltwater\"\u003eLawnmower Blenny\u003c\/a\u003e is the fish for that job.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48088163090651,"sku":"48088163090651","price":29.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/s_r_harptail_blenny.jpg?v=1766777547","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/harptail-blenny-meiacanthus-mossambicus-saltwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}