Bluestriped Fangblenny

Plagiotremus rhinorhynchos

A small, coral-reef-associated fangblenny that mimics cleaner wrasses to approach other fish and take scales and mucus by stealth. It is not a typical target species and is known more for its deceptive feeding strategy than for sport fishing value.

Saltwater

Bluestriped Fangblenny reference image — Rickard Zerpe, cc-by, via Wikimedia Commons. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

Identification points

Blue body with a strong dark horizontal stripe running from snout through the eye to the tail
Slender, elongated fangblenny shape with a pointed snout and small mouth
Often resembles a cleaner wrasse in posture and swimming style, but with fangblenny body proportions

Habitat

Tropical Indo-Pacific coral reefs and lagoon edges, usually close to branching corals and reef structure where it can hover near cleaning stations and dart into cover.

Bait notes

Not a standard angling species and usually not targeted. Small reef micro-jigs, tiny soft plastics, or bits of natural bait may draw investigation, but it is more often observed than intentionally caught.

Behavior

A facultative scale-eater and mucus picker that often mimics cleaner wrasses in color and movement; it uses bold approach behavior to get close to other fishes and feed on their scales, mucus, and small benthic prey.

Caution

Reef fish handling can cause stress to delicate reef species, and collection may be restricted in some locations. As a small reef fish, it is not a food target and should not be treated as a table species.

Fishing notes

If encountered while reef fishing, use very light tackle and tiny offerings around shallow coral heads and cleaning stations. Handle minimally and release quickly; catching it intentionally is uncommon and of little practical value.