Meiacanthus oualensis (Fiji)

Meiacanthus oualensis, commonly known as the Canary blenny, is a small/medium open water blenny. These fish are entirely yellow with a forktail which looks extra large because the middle part of the caudal fin is transparent.

Meiacanthus spp. have venomous fang-like canines in their lower jaw. These teeth aren't used for eating, but are only used for defense. When attacked or even ingested by a large fish they'll bite and the toxins will make most fish spit out and/or leave alone the fish. Because of this bad experience the predator usually avoids all similar looking fish in the future. This is also why some other fish mimic the Meiacanthus species, to prevent predators from seeing them as food. They rarely bite humans unless they feel really threatened, and if they do the bite is similar to a mild bee sting.

They're very hardy fish and are known to tolerate suboptimal water parameters for a while and are quite resistant to diseases as well. In nature they're usually solitary fish, so they can best be kept alone. They generally do no harm to other fish, just be careful combining them with other blennies. Being even reef safe, these are perfect beginners fish that will do well in almost any tank, regardless whether it's a reef tank or fish tank with small or large fish. They're also very easy to feed. They will eat all kinds of small worms and crustaceans and will look for them all day around the rocks, in the sand and eat just as easy from the water column. Even high quality flakes and pellets will be eaten once settled in the tank. Although they do ingest algae from time to time, Meiacanthus are considered more carnivorous compared to most other blennies.