Common name: Townsend's fangblenny

Scientific name: Plagiotremus townsendi (Regan, 1905)

General information

Townsend's Fangblenny, scientifically known as Plagiotremus townsendi, is a unique and interesting species for marine aquarists who appreciate mimicry in fish. This species is known for its remarkable resemblance to the cleaner wrasse, which it uses to its advantage in the wild by nipping at other fish under the guise of providing a cleaning service.

Details

Recommended minimum tank volume
150 liter (40 gallons)
Salinity
S.G. 1.023 to 1.026
Temperature
22 to 26 °C (72 to 79 °F)
Acidity
pH 7.8 to 8.4
Average size
12 cm (5″)
Care level
Moderate to easy Needs hiding spots and open water
Diet
Carnivore Prefers live foods, adapts to frozen
Social
Solo Territorial, best kept alone
Reefsafe
No May nip fins and scales of fish
Aggression
Semi aggresive Can be aggressive to tankmates
Captive bred
No

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
    Townsend's fangblenny
    Plagiotremus townsendi (Regan, 1905)
  8. Synonyms
    Petroscirtes townsendi Regan, 1905

Care

In the aquarium, Townsend's Fangblenny requires a well-established system with plenty of live rock for hiding and hunting. They are known to be semi-aggressive, especially towards smaller tank mates or those with long fins, which they may nip. It's important to provide a varied diet that includes meaty foods and marine pellets to maintain their health.

Reproduction

Reproduction in the home aquarium is not commonly reported, but in the wild, these fish are oviparous with distinct pairing during breeding.

Mimicry

The most fascinating aspect of the Townsend's Fangblenny is its mimicry behavior. It closely resembles the cleaner wrasse, a species that other fish allow to pick parasites off their skin. The fangblenny exploits this relationship by mimicking the cleaner wrasse's appearance and behavior to get close to other fish and then biting them to feed on their skin and mucus.

Habitat

Townsend's Fangblenny is found in the Indo-Pacific region, often associated with coral reefs where it can blend in and perform its mimicry. They are typically found at depths where cleaner wrasses are present, as their survival strategy depends on the presence of these species.