Common name: Ewa blenny
General information
The Bluestripe Fangblenny, scientifically known as Plagiotremus ewaensis, is a small, vibrant fish known for its striking blue stripes and fang-like teeth. It is a member of the Blenniidae family and is often sought after by aquarists for its bold personality and unique appearance.
Despite its aggressive mimicry behavior in the wild, where it imitates cleaner wrasses to take a nip at other fish, in the aquarium setting, the Bluestripe Fangblenny can be a relatively peaceful community fish if kept with the right tank mates.
Details
- Recommended minimum tank volume
- 150 liter (40 gallons)
- Salinity
- S.G. 1.020 to 1.025
- Temperature
- 24 to 26 °C (75 to 79 °F)
- Acidity
- pH 8.1 to 8.4
- Average size
- 12 cm (5″)
- Care level
- Moderate to easy Needs hiding spots & open water
- Diet
- Carnivore Prefers live foods, adapts to frozen
- Social
- Solo Territorial, best kept alone
- Reefsafe
- No May nip fins & attack small fish
- Aggression
- Aggresive Aggressive, especially to conspecifics
- Captive bred
- No
Taxonomy
- KingdomAnimalsAnimalia
- PhylumChordatesChordata
- ClassRay-finned FishesActinopterygii
- OrderPerch-like FishesPerciformes
- FamilyBlenniesBlenniidae
- GenusBluestreak Cleaner WrassePlagiotremus
- SpeciesEwa blennyPlagiotremus ewaensis (Brock, 1948)
- SynonymsPetroscirtes ewaensis Brock, 1948
Care
Bluestripe Fangblennies are hardy and adaptable, making them suitable for both beginner and experienced hobbyists. They require an aquarium with plenty of rockwork and hiding places to feel secure. These fish are known to jump, so a tightly fitting lid is essential to prevent escape.
Their diet should include a variety of meaty foods such as mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and quality marine flake and pellet foods to maintain their health and coloration.
Reproduction
In the home aquarium, breeding Bluestripe Fangblennies can be challenging. They are oviparous, with the females laying eggs in a secure location which the male then fertilizes. The male guards the eggs until they hatch.
Habitat
Plagiotremus ewaensis is native to the Indo-Pacific region, where it is typically found in coral-rich areas and lagoons. They prefer to inhabit areas with abundant coral and rock formations that provide ample hiding spots and surfaces for foraging.