Meiacanthus grammistes
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii
Order: Blenniiformes
Family: Blenniidae
Genus: Meiacanthus
Species:
M. grammistes
Binomial name
Meiacanthus grammistes
(Valenciennes, 1836)
Synonyms

Blennechis grammistes Valenciennes, 1836

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.

Anatomy

The fish is stout and deep-bodied, with a pointed snout and long continuous dorsal fin. It is brown with tan wavy bands stretching the length of its body. On the dorsal fin near the head is a small blue spot. This species grows to 11 cm (4.3 in) TL.[2] The fish has relatively large fangs (canine teeth) that protrude from the lower jaw.[3]

Venom

The unusual venom, which targets the body's opioid receptors, is being investigated as a potential new painkiller for human use.[4] 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.[3] 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.[5]

References

  1. ↑ Williams, J.T. (2014). "Meiacanthus grammistes". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2014: e.T48342154A48389543. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-3.RLTS.T48342154A48389543.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  2. ↑ Froese, Rainer; Pauly, Daniel (eds.) (2013). "Meiacanthus grammistes" in FishBase. February 2013 version.
  3. 1 2 Micu, Alexandru (2017-04-03). "Fanged blenny 'heroin'-like venom could be the next super-painkiller". ZME Science. Retrieved 2017-04-04.
  4. ↑ Bridie Smith (31 March 2017). "Meet the fang blenny: the 'heroin'-injecting fish offering high hopes for new painkillers". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  5. ↑ Casewell, N.; Visser, J.; Baumann, K. (2017). "The Evolution of Fangs, Venom, and Mimicry Systems in Blenny Fishes". Current Biology. 27 (8): 1184–1191. doi:10.1016/j.cub.2017.02.067. hdl:1887/115463. PMID 28366739.


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