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Piano Fangblenny
Plagiotremus tapeinosoma (Bleeker, 1857)
Above and below: A Piano Fangblenny at a depth of 8 m, Fly Point, Port Stephens, New South Wales, April 2005. Photo © D. Harasti. View larger image.
A Piano Fangblenny at a depth of 3 m, Bass Point, Shellharbour, New South Wales, February 2005. Photo © S. Schulz. View larger image.
The Piano Fangblenny is an elongate fish that can be recognised by the wavy black stripe (or series of connected vertically elongate blotches) along the side of the body. The margins of the dorsal and anal fins are black.
It grows to about 13 cm in length.
The species uses its two large fangs to feeds on the on skin, mucous and sometimes scales of other fishes. One of the Piano Fangblenny’s common names, the ‘Hit and Run Blenny’ describes the typical feeding behaviour that comprises a rapid attack then retreat to safety.
This species occurs primarily in coral reef and inshore waters of the tropical Indo-West and Central Pacific.
In Australia it is known from south-western Western Australia, around the tropical north of the country and south on the east coast to the southern coast of New South Wales.
View a map of the collecting localities of specimens in the Australian Museum Fish Collection.
The Piano Fangblenny has also been called the Hit and Run Blenny, Mimic Blenny, Sabretooth Benny, Violet-banded Blenny and Yellow Sabretooth Blenny.
Related links
- Bluestriped Fangblenny fact sheet
- View the Family Blenniidae list
- View the Blennies list
Further reading
- Allen, G.R. 1997. Marine Fishes of Tropical Australia and South-east Asia. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 292.
- Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
- Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.
- Randall, J.E., Allen, G.R. & R.C. Steene. 1997. Fishes of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea. Crawford House Press. Pp. 557.
