Common name: Piano fangblenny

Scientific name: Plagiotremus tapeinosoma (Bleeker, 1857)
Piano fangblennyA Piano fangblenny Plagiotremus tapeinosoma
Piano SäbelzähnerA piano fangblenny or mimic blenny (Plagiotremus tapeinosoma)

General information

The Bluestreak Cleaner Wrasse, scientifically known as Plagiotremus tapeinosoma, is a captivating species renowned for its symbiotic relationship with other marine organisms. This slender fish is easily recognizable by its vibrant blue streak and energetic behavior. In the wild, it is often found in the Indo-Pacific region, where it plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of reef communities by removing parasites from larger fish.

Details

Recommended minimum tank volume
75 liter (20 gallons)
Salinity
S.G. 1.020 to 1.025
Temperature
24 to 28 °C (75 to 82 °F)
Acidity
pH 8.1 to 8.4
Average size
12 cm (5″)
Care level
Moderate to easy May nip at fins of other fish
Diet
Omnivore Prefers meaty foods, accepts flakes
Social
Solo Territorial, best kept alone
Reefsafe
No Known to nip at other fish
Aggression
Semi aggresive May show aggression to tankmates
Captive bred
No
Conservation statusSource: IUCN Red List
ExtinctThreatenedLeastConcern

Taxonomy

  1. Kingdom
    Animals
    Animalia
  2. Phylum
    Chordates
    Chordata
  3. Class
    Ray-finned Fishes
    Actinopterygii
  4. Order
    Perch-like Fishes
    Perciformes
  5. Family
    Blennies
    Blenniidae
  6. Genus
    Bluestreak Cleaner Wrasse
    Plagiotremus
  7. Species
    Piano fangblenny
    Plagiotremus tapeinosoma (Bleeker, 1857)
  8. Synonyms
    Aspidontus tapeinosoma (Bleeker, 1857)
    Macrurrhynchus maroubrae Ogilby, 1896
    Petroscirtes tapeinosoma Bleeker, 1857
    Petroskirtes tapeinosoma Bleeker, 1857
    Runula tapeinosoma (Bleeker, 1857)

Care

In the aquarium, the Bluestreak Cleaner Wrasse requires a well-established system with plenty of live rock to mimic its natural habitat and provide hiding places. This species is known for its cleaning behavior and can be seen actively offering its services to other fish in the tank. It is essential to have a diverse community of fish to ensure the wrasse has enough 'clients' to clean, which is a significant part of its diet. Supplemental feeding with small meaty foods like mysis shrimp and finely chopped seafood is also necessary to keep them well-nourished.

Reproduction

Breeding Bluestreak Cleaner Wrasses in captivity is challenging and rarely successful. In the wild, they exhibit complex mating rituals and are protogynous hermaphrodites, meaning they can change from female to male during their lifetime. Understanding their reproductive behavior is crucial for any attempts at captive breeding.

Symbiosis

The Bluestreak Cleaner Wrasse is famous for its mutualistic relationship with a wide variety of fish species. By feeding on the ectoparasites and dead skin of their 'clients', they provide a valuable cleaning service, which is often signaled by a special dance. This interaction reduces stress and disease in the fish being cleaned and provides the wrasse with a steady food source.

Habitat

This species is typically found in coral-rich areas of the reef, often at cleaning stations where they wait for fish to come for cleaning. They are distributed across the Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea and East Africa to the central Pacific Ocean.