What a cool name for a fish, the piano fangblenny! It is more properly known as Plagiotremus tapeinosoma, and also has the common names of the mimic blenny, the hit and run blenny and the scale-eating fangblenny.

The piano fangblenny has what looks like a set of piano keys down its side and a long continuous dorsal and anal fin. It will sometimes mimic a cleaner wrasse, hence its other common name.

It is a common little fish in Norfolk Island’s lagoons growing to a maximum size of around 13 cm. Many snorkellers will know them first by their nip. They, quite literally, do a hit and run! Like little darts, they attack with vicious tiny sabre teeth, intent on getting a meal of skin or scales. Once you’ve experienced them that first time, you know to shoo them away to avoid another nibble!

I’ve seen them going after fish hundreds of times their size, usually sneaking up from behind. And the other fish don’t like it!

When threatened they quickly reverse into worm holes in the coral and wait for their next victim.