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🌊 Marine Least Concern 🍽️ Edible ⚡ Other 🌡️ Tropical

Piano fangblenny

Plagiotremus tapeinosoma Bleeker, 1857
Max Length
14 cm
Max Weight
-
Lifespan
-
Trophic Level
3.8
Depth
0–45 m
Climate
Tropical
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
25.00/100
Typical Length
-
Depth Zone
reef

📖 Overview

Adults inhabit clear lagoon and seaward reefs , usually the lower surge zone to deeper areas. They hide in deserted worm tubes when alarmed . They feed by attacking other fishes and removing dermal tissue, mucus and sometimes scales; occasionally makes harmless 'attacks' on divers . Some individuals usually strike from behind and quickly dive in the reef for cover to avoid punishment . Their wriggling swimming mode possibly mimics other non-scale eating species. Oviparous. Eggs are demersal and adhesive , and are attached to the substrate via a filamentous, adhesive pad or pedestal . Larvae are planktonic, often found in shallow, coastal waters . Minimum depth reported taken from Ref. 128797.

Scientific Name
Plagiotremus tapeinosoma
Authority
Bleeker, 1857
Habitat
Marine
Climate
Tropical
Body Shape
Elongated
IUCN Status
LC
Max Length
14 cm
Depth Range
0–45 m
Latitude
50°S – 30°N
Trophic Level
3.8
Resilience
High
Vulnerability
25.00/100
Salinity
30–40 ppt

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 7 - 9; Dorsal soft rays (total): 34 - 39; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 28 - 33. About 20 oblong segments form the dark midlateral body stripe .: elongated.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Piano fangblenny is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

Diet information for Piano fangblenny is currently being compiled.

🥚 Reproduction

🐣 Oviparous

Oviparous, distinct pairing .

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 45 m . Tropical; 30°N - 50°S East Africa (to False Bay, South Africa, Ref.

🌿 Ecology

Zone Preferences
🌊 Marine 🪸 Reef Associated
Trophic Level
3.8±0.7

📐 Morphometrics

Length–Weight Relationship: W = 0.00468 × L3.01 (TL)
Max TL
14cm
Dorsal Spines
8
Dorsal Rays
37
Anal Spines
2
Anal Rays
31

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

Salinity Range
30–40ppt

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

IUCN Category
Least Concern
Assessment Date
2009

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

Population Resilience
High
Minimum doubling time
Fishing Vulnerability
25.00/100
Low vulnerability
Trophic Level
3.8
Predator
Body Shape
Elongated
Climate Zone
Tropical
Latitude Range
30°N – 50°S
Described By
Bleeker, 1857

🍽️ Edibility & Flavour

"Piano Fangblenny is an edible species."

✗ Not for Raw
✓ Fresh Indicators
  • Clear, bright eyes — cloudy eyes indicate age
  • Firm flesh that springs back when pressed
  • Fresh ocean smell, never strong or ammonia-like
  • Bright red or pink gills, not grey or brown
  • Shiny, moist skin with scales tightly attached
✗ Avoid If
  • Cloudy or sunken eyes
  • Strong fishy or ammonia odour
  • Soft, mushy flesh that doesn't spring back
  • Discoloured or dry flesh
Best Cooking Methods
Baking Grilling Pan-frying

Nutrition

Per 100g cooked - Source: USDA FoodData Central

Nutrient Amount
Protein 18.4 g
Omega-3 (total) 105 mg

🔬 Mercury Safety

Mercury data for Piano fangblenny has not yet been assigned. Please consult FDA/EPA guidance for general seafood safety advice.

🌿 Sustainability

Best Choice
Healthy stocks, low impact
Good Alternative
Well-managed, minor concerns
Use Caution
Check sourcing and season
Avoid
Overfished or high impact

🌐 Names & Taxonomy

Language Common Names
🇬🇧English calico blenny · Hit and Run Blenny · Mimic Blenny · Piano Blenny · piano fangblenny · scale-eating blenny · Scale-eating Fangblenny
🇫🇷French Blennie piano
🇯🇵Japanese Tenkurosujigimpo · テンクロスジギンポ

Scientific Synonyms

Scientific Name Author Year Status
Aspidontus tapeinosoma Bleeker 1857 Synonym
Petroscirtes tapeinosoma Bleeker 1857 Synonym
Petroskirtes tapeinosoma Bleeker 1857 Synonym
Runula tapeinosoma Bleeker 1857 Synonym

🗺️ Global Occurrence Map

Occurrence records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) - 4 records indexed .

Occurrence density from GBIF View GBIF records ↗

👥 Community & Contribute

Aquareap Community Observations
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