Meiacanthus grammistes

Meiacanthus grammistes

Striped blenny, Striped fang blenny, Grammistes blenny, Line-spot harptail blenny, Striped poison-fang blenny

Kingdom
Phylum
Family
Genus
SPECIES
Meiacanthus grammistes
Length
11
4
cminch
cm inch 

Meiacanthus grammistes, the striped blenny, also called the striped fang blenny, grammistes blenny, line-spot harptail blenny or striped poison-fang blenny, is a species of combtooth blenny from the western Pacific Ocean. The fish stays in the open ocean, but travels into shallow saltwater and brackish estuaries. This venomous species occasionally makes its way into the aquarium trade.

Habits and Lifestyle

Lifestyle

Venom

The unusual venom, which targets the body's opioid receptors, is being investigated as a potential new painkiller for human use. The venom consists of a neuropeptide also seen in cone snail venom, a lipase similar to the one used by certain species of scorpions and an opioid peptide. Blennies use it to stun predators. The venom reduces the blood pressure of the predator, relaxing its jaws so the blenny can escape. Administration of the venom was found to not cause pain in mice, which is atypical, as most fish venoms are painful. Administration of the venom also did not result in a drop in heart rate in rats.

Diet and Nutrition

Population

References

1. Meiacanthus grammistes Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meiacanthus_grammistes
2. Meiacanthus grammistes on The IUCN Red List site - https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/48342154/48389543

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