Latin name

Meiacanthus atrodorsalis

Other name

Meiacanthus atrodorsaliseyelash harptail-blenny, poison-fang blenny, the yellowtail poison-fang blenny.

Identification

Adults have long filaments on the tips of the caudal fin.

Features of fish fins

Dorsal spines (total): 4; Dorsal soft rays (total): 25-28; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 15-18. 

Fish colouring

Identified by a black diagonal line with a blue border running from the eye and a yellow dorsal fin or back. 

Distribution

Western Pacific: from Bali and the Philippines east to Samoa, north to the Ryukyu Islands, south to the Rowley Shoals, southern Great Barrier Reef and New Caledonia; throughout Micronesia. Replaced by the uniform yellow species ovalauensis in Fiji and Meiacanthus tongaensis in Tonga.

Habitat

Marine tropical species. Depth from 0 to 30 meters. Inhabit coral reefs.

Size

This species reaches a length of 11 centimeters (4.3 inches). 

Behavior

Adults are found singly or in pairs in lagoons and on inshore reefs below the surge zone in depths down to 30 meters. 

Food and feeding habits

They feed on zooplankton and small bottom invertebrates. 

Reproduction

Egg-laying. Eggs are ground-laying and adhesive. They are attached to the substrate with a fibrous adhesive pad. Larvae are planktonic, often inhabiting shallow coastal waters. 

Fishing

Fished for sale to aquariums.

Relationship with a person

This poisonous species can be found in the aquarium trade.