Description
Similar in appearance to Meiacanthus oualanensis, the breathtaking Green Canary Blenny (Meiacanthus tongaensis) features a bright green head with a black stripe running down its dorsal fin. Even more fascinating to watch is its ability to "hover" in the water while it swims, moving around the reef aquarium from quick darts to sudden stops with grace and style. Males are generally larger than females and experience a succession of color changes when breeding.
This blenny needs a minimum tank of 30 gallons with live rock for hunting and grazing in order to thrive. It is best to keep only one per tank unless a breeding pair is maintained. If attacked by other fish, the Green Canary Blenny will retaliate by biting the inside of the mouth of the attacker.
The Green Canary Blenny is considered venomous and should be kept only with caution around children having tank access since it may perceive fingers as an attacker and deliver a similarly painful bite. These fishes only use their bite when ingested by large fishes, as they will bite the inside of the fishes mouth so they are not consumed.
The diet of the Canary Blenny should consist of finely chopped crustacean flesh, mysis and vitamin-enriched brine shrimp as well as frozen herbivore preparations.
