Forktail Blenny
Meiacanthus atrodorsalis
| Stock | Variations | Price | Quantity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Out of Stock | 2 - 3" - SSC Certified - Indo-Pacific | Original price was: $34.99.$18.99Current price is: $18.99. | Email me |
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Monday – Friday 8 AM – 9 PM
Saturday 12 PM – 4 PM
Sunday 12 PM – 9 PM
Healthy, stable animals from vetted suppliers — inspected before packing, shipped overnight. Decades of experience built this model so we can deliver premium livestock at 30%+ less than you'd pay elsewhere.
| Care Level | Easy |
|---|---|
| Temperament | Bold |
| Reef Safe | Yes |
| Functional Benefit | Ornamental Only |
| Diet Type | Omnivore |
| Mininum Tank Size | 20 gallons |
| Max Size | 4 inches |
| Temperature | 72–78°F |
| pH Range | 8.1–8.4 |
| Specific Gravity | 1.022–1.025 |
The Forktail Blenny (Meiacanthus atrodorsalis) is a reef-associated fang blenny often recognized by its forked yellow tail, a darker line along the dorsal area, and a sleek “harptail” profile that stands out in mixed reef fish communities. Its streamlined body patterning reads clean and high-contrast under reef lighting, and it tends to stay visible once settled.
What You’ll Observe:
- Hovering and “cruising” in the mid-water column, then gliding back to rockwork between laps
- Perching at cave entrances and making quick, precise dashes to grab passing food
- A steady daily routine: short patrols, calm hovering, and predictable feeding-time activity
- Confident behavior around the front glass, especially once it learns where food enters the tank
Provide live rock with multiple small caves and swim-throughs so it can choose a home base while still having open water to cruise. Offer a varied mix of meaty frozen foods plus quality pellets or flakes, and feed in small portions so it can grab food without rushing. It does best with tankmates that give it room to hover and patrol naturally.
Will the forktail blenny bite during tank maintenance?
It is mainly defensive; using a specimen container (instead of a hand/net squeeze) keeps handling calm and controlled.
What foods usually get it eating first?
Many keepers start with mysis, enriched brine, and finely chopped seafood, then transition to pellets/flakes once it is taking frozen reliably.
Can it be kept with a Midas blenny or other similar blennies?
It often does best with dissimilar-shaped fish; mixing very similar blennies can lead to extra posturing and chasing in the same rock zones.
Is it normal if it spends time hovering instead of sitting on the rocks?
Yes—fang blennies commonly hover and “cruise” more than many perch-only blennies, especially once they feel established.
Can you buy a pair, and how do you tell male vs female?
Sexing is not always obvious in store-sized fish; if you want two, introducing them together (or as an established pair) tends to go more smoothly than adding a second later.
Each fish is checked for strong appetite and activity before we approve it for your tank.
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