Sarcastic Fringehead (Neoclinus blanchardi)

The Sarcastic Fringehead or Neoclinus blanchardi is a saltwater fish that is known for it aggressive behavior and ambush skills, as well as its unusual mouth. This fish will make its home inside of a shell and lie in wait for its prey to swim by. Once its unsuspecting meal wanders too close the Sarcastic Fringehead will dark out and display its UNBELIEVABLY large mouth. Sarcastic Fringehead fish are notoriously territorial and when another of its own kind gets too close in proximate they will battle each other much like the Kissing Gourami only much more vicious. You can see this amazing display in the videos below.


These fish are found in the Pacific Ocean and can grow to about 12" long (30 cm). They have slender bodies and are normally brownish-gray in color. Sarcastic Fringeheads are almost always found on the bottom and use their pectoral fins to "walk" across the bottom like the Oriental Flying Gurnard.

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