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Smith's Blenny
Blenny

Smith's Blenny

Meiacanthus smithi

The "disco blenny" is a pale, iridescent fish crossed by a fine black lateral stripe and a scatter of dark spots, hovering calmly out in open water with an elegant, unhurried glide. Captive-bred and genuinely peaceful, it carries the Meiacanthus defense: venom-tipped fangs it deploys only when grabbed, which teaches even large tankmates to leave it alone. Reef-safe with corals and inverts, hardy, and one of the best first fang blennies. Give it a tightly fitting lid, since like all fang blennies it will test the surface.

Temperament
Peaceful
Max size
3.3"
Min tank
30 gal
Reef-safe
Reef safe
Diet
Omnivore
Zone
Mid-water, Rockwork
Keep just one per tank — two will fight.
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Tankmates

How Smith's Blenny gets on with the rest of the reef, checked pair by pair by the same engine as the live pre-flight.

Best kept apart

A real clash — aggression, predation or a same-genus fight.

Maroon ClownfishMaroon Clownfish (aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Smith's Blenny and may harass it.Purple TangPurple Tang (aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Smith's Blenny and may harass it.Canary BlennySmith's Blenny and Canary Blenny are the same genus (Meiacanthus) and will fight — keep only one.Forktail BlennySmith's Blenny and Forktail Blenny are the same genus (Meiacanthus) and will fight — keep only one.Picasso TriggerfishPicasso Triggerfish (aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Smith's Blenny and may harass it.Domino DamselDomino Damsel (aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Smith's Blenny and may harass it.Dragon WrasseDragon Wrasse has a big enough mouth to eat the much smaller Smith's Blenny.Volitans LionfishVolitans Lionfish has a big enough mouth to eat the much smaller Smith's Blenny.Snowflake MoraySnowflake Moray has a big enough mouth to eat the much smaller Smith's Blenny.Zebra MorayZebra Moray has a big enough mouth to eat the much smaller Smith's Blenny.Chainlink MorayChainlink Moray has a big enough mouth to eat the much smaller Smith's Blenny.Golden Dwarf MorayGolden Dwarf Moray has a big enough mouth to eat the much smaller Smith's Blenny.Rectangle TriggerfishRectangle Triggerfish (aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Smith's Blenny and may harass it.Clown TriggerfishClown Triggerfish (aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Smith's Blenny and may harass it.Miniata GrouperMiniata Grouper (aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Smith's Blenny and may harass it.Panther GrouperPanther Grouper (aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Smith's Blenny and may harass it.Six-Line SoapfishSix-Line Soapfish has a big enough mouth to eat the much smaller Smith's Blenny.Painted FrogfishPainted Frogfish has a big enough mouth to eat the much smaller Smith's Blenny.Dogface PufferDogface Puffer has a big enough mouth to eat the much smaller Smith's Blenny.Porcupine PufferPorcupine Puffer has a big enough mouth to eat the much smaller Smith's Blenny.

Keep an eye on these

Usually fine, but worth watching in a smaller tank.

Sailfin TangSailfin Tang (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Smith's Blenny and may harass it.Red Coris WrasseRed Coris Wrasse (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Smith's Blenny and may harass it.Convict TangConvict Tang (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Smith's Blenny and may harass it.Emperor AngelfishEmperor Angelfish (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Smith's Blenny and may harass it.Naso TangNaso Tang (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Smith's Blenny and may harass it.Scopas TangScopas Tang (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Smith's Blenny and may harass it.Queen AngelfishQueen Angelfish (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Smith's Blenny and may harass it.Blueface AngelfishBlueface Angelfish (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Smith's Blenny and may harass it.Crosshatch TriggerfishCrosshatch Triggerfish (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Smith's Blenny and may harass it.Niger TriggerfishNiger Triggerfish (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Smith's Blenny and may harass it.Majestic AngelfishMajestic Angelfish (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Smith's Blenny and may harass it.Blonde Naso TangBlonde Naso Tang (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Smith's Blenny and may harass it.Desjardini Sailfin TangDesjardini Sailfin Tang (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Smith's Blenny and may harass it.Orange Shoulder TangOrange Shoulder Tang (semi-aggressive) is much larger than the peaceful Smith's Blenny and may harass it.