Bicolor Blenny
Ecsenius bicolor
Piano fangblenny
Plagiotremus tapeinosoma
About
The piano fangblenny is a sneaky little biter. It darts in to nip mucus, skin, or scales from other fish, then dives straight into a hiding spot to avoid getting caught.
Also known as: mimic blenny, piano blenny, scale-eating fangblenny, calico blenny, piano blenny, piano fangblenny, scale-eating blenny, slender blenny, violet-banded blenny, scale-eating blenny, piano blenny, piano fangblenny, sabretooth blenny, mimic blenny, yellow sabretooth blenny, scale-eating fangblenny, piano fangblenny, sabretooth benny, violet-banded blenny, yellow sabretooth blenny
- Length
- 14 cm
- Depth
- up to 45 m
How to tell it apart
Its wriggling swimming style can make it look like other harmless reef fish it swims alongside, which lets it sneak in close before attacking. The dark, segmented stripe along its flank is the mark that gives it away as a fangblenny rather than one of the fish it resembles.
Appearance
This slim fish grows to about 14 cm. Running along its side is a dark stripe made up of roughly 20 short, oblong segments.
Did you know?
When alarmed, this fish darts into an empty worm tube left behind on the reef to hide, and it will sometimes make a harmless surprise 'attack' on a passing diver.
Log it in Into the Blue
Describe what you saw and we name it, then keep every species you find in your Oceandex.
