Family : Blenniidae (Combtooth blennies)
Order : Perciformes  (perch-likes)
Class : Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Fishbase Name : Piano fangblenny
Fish Name : Plagiotremus tapeinosoma
Max size : 14.0 cm TL (male/unsexed; Ref. 9710)
Environment : reef-associated ; depth range 8 - 30 m
Climate : tropical; 30°N - 50°S
Global Importance : aquarium: commercial
Resilience: High, minimum population doubling time less than 15 months (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)Distribution : Indo-Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa (to False Bay, South Africa, Ref. 4404) to the Line, Marquesan, and Tuamoto Islands, north to southern Japan, south to New Zealand and Rapa. Replaced Plagiotremus goslinei in the Hawaiian Islands (Ref. 37816).
Diagnosis : Dorsal spines (total): 7-9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 34-39; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 28-33. About 20 oblong segments form the dark midlateral body stripe (Ref. 4404).
Biology : Inhabit clear lagoon and seaward reefs (Ref. 9710), usually the lower surge zone to deeper areas. Hide in deserted worm tubes when alarmed (Ref. 1602). Feed by attacking other fishes and removing dermal tissue, mucus and sometimes scales; occasionally makes harmless 'attacks' on divers (Ref. 2334, 48636). It usually strikes from behind and quickly dives in the reef for cover to avoid punishment (Ref. 48636). Its wriggling swimming mode possibly mimics other non-scale eating species. Oviparous (Ref. 205). Eggs are demersal and adhesive (Ref. 205)
Threatened : Dangerous:  
Dangerous : other , Myers, R.F.. 1991
Coordinator : Williams, Jeffrey T.
Main Ref : Randall, J.E., G.R. Allen and R.C. Steene. 1990. (Ref. 2334)

India country information
Common Names : [ No common name ]
Status : native
Salinity : marine
Uses : no uses