Forktail Blenny

About this fish

Forktail Blenny is the common name for the combtooth blenny Meiacanthus atrodorsalis, a reef-associated fish often kept for its active, natural behavior in rockwork. In a home aquarium, it’s typically used as a small, hardy-looking centerpiece fish that helps add movement and grazing/foraging behavior around live rock. This listing focuses on group-level care guidance for Meiacanthus blennies.

Features:

• Combines an alert, active swimming/hovering style with time spent exploring caves and crevices in aquascape
• Best in tanks with plenty of stable rock structure for hiding and territorial “micro-zone” settling
• Usually considered peaceful with similarly sized tankmates, especially when adequate space and visual breaks are provided
• A foraging-focused diet is important; offer varied foods rather than relying on only one type
• Supports a reef-style environment with consistent salinity and stable alkalinity/calcium for overall system health

Specifications:

• Scientific name: Meiacanthus atrodorsalis
• Care level (general guidance): Moderate (needs stable water quality and an appropriate varied diet)
• Temperament (general guidance): Generally peaceful; may show mild territorial behavior in tight aquascapes
• Placement: Middle to bottom near live rock and sheltered areas
• Diet (general guidance): Varied meaty and/or plant-inclusive aquarium foods appropriate for small reef fishes (supplement with foods sized for its mouth)
• Temperature: ~22–26 °C
• pH: ~8.1–8.4
• Salinity: ~1.020–1.025 SG
• Alkalinity: ~7–11 dKH (reef target guidance)
• Calcium: ~380–450 ppm (reef target guidance)
• Magnesium: ~1200–1350 ppm (reef target guidance)