mimic or fang blenny ID

[michael stern]

Can anyone confirm the ID of this guy.
Supposed to be a mimic blenny.
I want to make sure it's not a true fang blenny.
Came from the Red Sea, identified as Ecsenius gravieri

 

[Domboski]

Looks like a mimic to me

 

[Deanos]

Looks very similiar to Ecsenius gravieri

However, the solid black line near the dorsal fin makes me think it's either a juvenile or another species. On most images I see of E. gravieri, the black line is distinct and does not meet the dorsal fin.

I'll be able to check further when I get home.

 

[Candi]

It's the head I'm mainly looking at, the photo posted above of the mimic and the ones online all show that flat looking frontal part of the face, giving it a very square look similar to a midas blenny. Along with the "horn" looking things on the face, the original photos here have a very streamlined face and no "horns" is that a discerning factor at all?

Michael I still say you poke at one until it bites, that'll give us our answer LOL

He is my "hey what is this":

So far the vote over on RC is true fang blenny for whatever that is worth.

 

[Domboski]

I think it is safe to say it is not a fang blenny At least not the forktail fang blenny (Meiacanthus atrodorsalis) that I assume the above is supposed to mimic. The Forktail has a black line through it's eye but it is not continuous across the body. Another black line runs near the dorsal fin to the tail.

The above pics from MS and Dean both have a continuous solid line from eye to tail. I think the scientific name provided by the distributor is correct.

 

[michael stern]

Hey Candi, I didn't know you hung here as well.
Slumming it from NJ?

 

[Candi]

LOL as you can see from the posts I haven't hung out that much, and the slum is in the eye of the beholder... NJ isn't my fav we're still very much midwest transplants and actually looking to relocate again soon.

 

[Candi]

if swimming behavior points to one or the other my guy is free swimming and not perching.

 

[Candi]

I believe I found our answer... Michael you have Blackline Fang Blennies/ Meiacanthus nigrolineatus ! Please see these links:

http://www.saltcorner.com/sections/zoo/fish/blennies/Ecsenius/Egravieri.htm
that is the true mimic, which is not what Michael received... clicking the link on that page takes us to: http://www.saltcorner.com/sections/zoo/fish/blennies/Meiacanthus/Mnigrolineatus.htm which is absolutely what I have received today. He's alone in a QT so I can't confirm if he is a "notorious fin nipper" as the first link claims but he is definitely not the Mimic I thought I was buying.

 

[Deanos]

I believe I found our answer... Michael you have Blackline Fang Blennies/ Meiacanthus nigrolineatus ! Please see these links:

http://www.saltcorner.com/sections/zoo/fish/blennies/Ecsenius/Egravieri.htm
that is the true mimic, which is not what Michael received... clicking the link on that page takes us to: http://www.saltcorner.com/sections/zoo/fish/blennies/Meiacanthus/Mnigrolineatus.htm which is absolutely what I have received today. He's alone in a QT so I can't confirm if he is a "notorious fin nipper" as the first link claims but he is definitely not the Mimic I thought I was buying.

Great detective work!! At least I was on the right track when I said "However, the solid black line near the dorsal fin makes me think it's either a juvenile or another species"

 

[Domboski]

Yeah that is definitely it Actually I think the Fang Blenny is much better looking.

 

[Candi]

I know where you can get a great deal on one LOL
I actually really like the goofy square look of the mimic... but I'm goofy that way.

 

[Domboski]

LMAO. Unfortunately blennies of all types are considered "food" in my tanks

 

[NYreefNoob]

candi wher at in the mid-west ya from

 

[Candi]

We're from MI, metro Detroit area. My husband took a job in NYC 2 yrs ago and we moved out here knowing no one... always said it was a couple year deal and we'd go "home" but the economy is beyond dead there so we're checking other options at this point. Personally I think the shore is gorgeous but he hates the commute (we're in Middletown NJ).

 

[NYreefNoob]

I Grew Up In Indiana And Ohio, Been In Ny For Little Over 5 Yrs Now, I Cant Wait To Go Back Lol Got 14 More Yr's Though Before I Can