Meiacanthus grammistes (Valenciennes, 1836)
Striped poison-fang blenny
Meiacanthus grammistes
photo by Randall, J.E.

 Family:  Blenniidae (Combtooth blennies), subfamily: Blenniinae
 Max. size:  11 cm TL (male/unsexed)
 Environment:  reef-associated; depth range 1 - 20 m
 Distribution:  Western Pacific: Indochina to Papua New Guinea, north to Ryukyu Islands, south to northwestern Australia and the Great Barrier Reef. Replaced by Meiacanthus kamoharai in southern Japan.
 Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 4-4; Dorsal soft rays (total): 25-28; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 14-16. Identified by the lined pattern on the body that ends in spots on the tail-fin base (Ref. 48636).
 Biology:  A solitary species found in sheltered lagoon and seaward reefs (Ref. 9710, 48636). Several adults together occasionally in close vicinity to each other (Ref. 48636). Oviparous. Eggs are demersal and adhesive (Ref. 205), and are attached to the substrate via a filamentous, adhesive pad or pedestal (Ref. 94114). Larvae are planktonic, often found in shallow, coastal waters (Ref. 94114). Several geographical variations and is mimicked by another blenny Petroscirtes breviceps (Ref. 48636). Both fang and venom gland are present (Ref. 57406).
 IUCN Red List Status:   (Ref. 96402)
 Threat to humans:  venomous
 Country info:  Recorded from Davao Gulf, Malalag Bay, Bongo Island, Moro Gulf (Ref. 106380), Calatagan, Batangas (Ref. 107852), Nasugbu (Ref. 107853), and TaƱon Strait (Ref. 107276). Also Ref. 1602.

 Entered by: Capuli, Estelita Emily - 15.07.92
 Modified by: Luna, Susan M. - 26.02.14
 Checked by: Binohlan, Crispina B. - 30.08.94

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