Latin name

Plagiotremus rhinorhynchos

Other name

Plagiotremus rhinorhynchos

Identification

Bluestriped Fangblenny have the ability to change coloration and stripe patterns to hide among schools of fish from where they can attack passing fish.

Features of fish fins

Dorsal spines (total): 10-12; Dorsal soft rays (total): 31-37; Anal spines: 2; anal soft rays: 29-33. 

Fish colouring

This fish has two distinct colors: blue with a black stripe from snout to tail, or orange with two narrow blue stripes from snout to tail. 

Distribution

Indo-Pacific: Red Sea south to Naisna, South Africa and east to the line, Marquesas and Society Islands, north to southern Japan, south to Lord Howe Island. Replaced in Hawaii by Plagiotremus ewaensis.

Habitat

Marine subtropical species. Depth ranges from 1 to 40 meters. Adults inhabit clean, coral-rich areas of ocean-facing lagoons and reefs and are fairly common on both coral and rocky reefs.

Size

Bluestriped fangblenny can grow to about 12 cm in length. 

Behavior

Bluestriped fangblennies hide in abandoned wormtubes or other small burrows, usually alone or in pairs. These fish serve as cleaners for larger host fish that oversee the removal of ectoparasites. They bite the host fish and leave. The opioid-containing venom helps them escape, as the bite does not cause pain, but dulls the host's response.

Food and feeding habits

They feed on the skin, mucus, and sometimes scales of other fish and are quick to attack.

Reproduction

Egg-laying, forming distinct pairs. Their eggs are benthic and adhesive, attached to the substrate by a fibrous adhesive pad or base. Larvae are planktonic, often inhabiting shallow coastal waters.

Fishing

This species is commercially important. The fish are caught for sale to aquariums.

Relationship with a person

Harmless. These fish are known to be aggressive. They will bite divers if disturbed.