Plagiotremus townsendi

Plagiotremus townsendi, commonly known as Townsend's fangblenny, is a beautiful small blenny. These fishes have a grey-blue front and yellow back with black in the first part of the dorsal fin and red below the black. Often they’ve a reddish nose with a white stripe over it.

P. townsendi are non-venomous but mimics the venomous Meiacanthus nigrolineatus to avoid predators. These fish are usually found on coral reefs. They hide in empty worm tubes or small holes in rocks when scared. In a tank they can best be kept alone or as a mated pair, unless a huge tank with ample hiding spots can be provided. They feed mainly on skin, mucus and even scales from other fishes. They’re beautiful, reef safe and do eat alternative meaty foods but their feeding behaviour makes them not very suitable to combine with other fishes!