Twin Fangblenny

Meiacanthus geminatus

The Twin Fangblenny, known scientifically as Meiacanthus geminatus, is a small reef fish found in the western central Pacific Ocean, specifically in areas like Darvel Bay, Borneo, and Palawan in the Philippines. This species reaches a maximum length of 4.7 centimeters. Its body is elongated and oval in cross-section, featuring a distinctive coloration pattern: the upper body is white, transitioning to a golden yellow below, with a notable black stripe running midlaterally. Adult males have filamentous outer lobes on their caudal fins, which can help in identifying them. This blenny inhabits tropical, sheltered coastal reefs at depths ranging from 1 to 15 meters. It is typically found alone, often in the company of the mimic species Cheilodipterus zonatus. The Twin Fangblenny is oviparous, with eggs that are demersal and adhere to substrates via a filamentous pad. The larvae are planktonic, residing in shallow coastal waters until they mature. For divers, encountering a Twin Fangblenny can be a solitary experience, as these fish are not known to school. They are harmless to humans and have no significant threats, being classified as Least Concern by the IUCN.