Forktail Blenny
Description: This colorful fish has a blue-teal head that blends over the length of the body into a yellow tail. A black line runs longitudinally along its dorsal fin. A black mark also originates from its eyes, exaggerating each eye to look elongated like a cat’s eye. This widely distributed species has many geographical variants that may deviate slightly from this precursor form. As the name “Forktail” suggests, this species has a lyretail.

Natural Ecology: Meiacanthus atrodorsalis is a carnivore of zooplankton and other bite-size invertebrates. Like most members of this genus, they have evolved a stinging bite for protection against predators. They have also evolved bright colors as an effective reminder to predators, which distinctly associate this species with a stinging experience. Interestingly, other non-venomous species have evolved to look like some Meiacanthus species in color and shape, so that predators also avoid them. This species is mimicked by Plagiotremus landandus and Plagiotremus townsendi, which opportunistically attack other fishes to feed on scales, fin, and flesh tissues.

Indigenous To: The natural range extends from the Philippines and Bali eastward to Samoa, northward to Southern Japan’s Ryukyu Islands, and southward to the Great Barrier Reef and New Caledonia.

Behavior: This species ignores other species. Its evolved immunity from predation rendered it unnecessary to hide. It is bravely present in mid-water, hovering near its favorite rock crevice.

Compatability: Usually ignores corals and most invertebrates.

Food: Proaquatix specimens have been weaned to take aquarium pellets and flakes. Freshly frozen invertebrates such as ocean plankton, mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and chopped squid will be readily accepted.