African Blenny

Here’s a professional care sheet for the African Blenny (Meiacanthus mossambicus), formatted to match your previous species profiles:

African Blenny (Meiacanthus mossambicus)

Overview

The African Blenny (Meiacanthus mossambicus) is a small, colorful, and hardy marine blenny native to the western Indian Ocean, including the coast of Mozambique, South Africa, and surrounding reefs.

Known for its elongated body, subtle coloration, and venomous fangs, it is a peaceful yet self-protective fish that can be a fascinating addition to marine aquariums. Its small size, reef-safe behavior, and adaptability make it suitable for intermediate-level marine aquarists.

Aquarium Requirements

Minimum Tank Size: 75 litres (20 US gallons)

Temperature: 24–27 °C (75–81 °F)

pH: 8.1–8.4

Specific Gravity (Salinity): 1.020–1.025

Alkalinity: 8–12 dKH

Ammonia & Nitrite: 0 ppm

Nitrate: < 10 ppm

Aquascape:
Provide a moderate live rock structure with hiding spots, caves, and crevices. Open swimming areas are important, but African Blennies are secretive and need shelter to feel secure. They adapt well to reef aquariums and tolerate a range of moderate water flows.

Diet and Feeding

The African Blenny is omnivorous, grazing on small invertebrates, algae, and detritus in the wild.

Recommended Foods:

• High-quality frozen or prepared omnivore diets

• Mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and finely chopped seafood

• Algae-based flakes or pellets

Feed 2–3 times daily in small portions. Juveniles benefit from smaller, frequent feedings to mimic natural grazing.

Temperament and Compatibility

The African Blenny is peaceful and generally non-aggressive, but it will defend itself if threatened using its venomous fangs, which can deter potential predators.

Suitable Tankmates:

• Peaceful reef fish such as clownfish, gobies, wrasses, and tangs

• Other small blennies or non-aggressive species

Avoid:

• Aggressive or very large predatory fish that could stress or injure it

They are social with conspecifics in large tanks but may be territorial in smaller systems.

Reef Compatibility

✅ Reef Safe

African Blennies are considered reef safe and generally do not harm corals, sessile invertebrates, or other fish. They provide a natural benefit by grazing on small algae and detritus.

Additional Information

Maximum Size: 7–9 cm (3–4 inches)

Lifespan: 5–7 years in captivity

Difficulty Level: Intermediate

Natural Behavior: Secretive, grazing, and reef-associated; uses venomous bite defensively

Origin: Western Indian Ocean – Mozambique, South Africa

Coloration: Tan to light brown body with faint stripes and distinctive facial markings

Summary

The African Blenny (Meiacanthus mossambicus) is a small, hardy, reef-safe species suitable for intermediate marine aquarists. It requires ample hiding spaces, stable water conditions, and a varied omnivorous diet. With proper care, it becomes a peaceful, colorful, and active member of a reef aquarium, while its venomous fangs provide an interesting defense mechanism for hobbyists to observe.