Meiacanthus urostigma Smith-Vaniz, Satapoomin & Allen, 2001
Tailspot fangblenny
photo by Satapoomin, U.

Family:  Blenniidae (Combtooth blennies), subfamily: Blenniinae
Max. size:  8 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 1 - 13 m
Distribution:  Eastern Indian Ocean: known from the type locality, Surin Neur Island, south coast, Phangnga Province, Surin Islands, 9°24'56"N, 97°52'40"E.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 4-5; Dorsal soft rays (total): 22-24; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 15-16; Vertebrae: 32-34. A species of Meiacanthus with dentary glands positioned ventraly and encapsulated in dentary bone; no lateral line; mid-point of supratemporal canal ending in pair of pores; only 2 pores each in mandibular and posttemporal series; posttemporal bone reduced, wedge-shaped without ventral arm; infraorbital bones; and colour pattern characterized by uniformly pale tan body with narrow dark lateral stripe extending from snout to near beginning of bright orange-yellow caudal peduncle, where it is typically interrupted and replaced by elongate black spot.
Biology:  Adults inhabit coral outcrops, coastal reefs. They occur in small or large groups which may exceed 100 individuals (Ref. 90102). Oviparous. Eggs are demersal and adhesive (Ref. 205), and are attached to the substrate via a filamentous, adhesive pad or pedestal (Ref. 94114). Larvae are planktonic, often found in shallow, coastal waters (Ref. 94114). Mimicked by Cheilodipterus quinquelineatus (Ref. 90102). Minimum depth of 1 m reported from Ref. 90102.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 28 March 2009 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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