Common name: Townsend's fangblenny
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
- KingdomAnimalsAnimalia
- PhylumChordatesChordata
- ClassRay-finned FishesActinopterygii
- OrderPerciformesPerciformes
- FamilyBlenniesBlenniidae
- GenusBluestreak Cleaner WrassePlagiotremus
- SpeciesTownsend's fangblennyPlagiotremus townsendi (Regan, 1905)
- SynonymsPetroscirtes 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.