| Family: |
Tripterygiidae (Triplefin blennies), subfamily: Tripterygiinae |
| Max. size: |
4 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
demersal; marine; depth range 0 - 12 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Indian Ocean: east and soitheast coast of South Africa (Transkei to southern Mozambique), the Red Sea, Aden, Oman, and Pakistan. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 14-16; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-10; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 17-20. This species is distinguished by the following characters: D III + XI-XIII + 8-10 (usually III + XII + 10); A I,17-20 (usually 19); pectoral fin 14: 1-3, 4-6, 6-8 (usually 2, 5, 7). LL, pored scales 13-16, notched scales 21-25, starting at 2 scale rows below the end of the pored series; transverse scales 2/6; nape and abdomen scaleless, first dorsal fin base also without scales. Body depth 4.8-5.2 in SL. Head 3.4-4.0 in SL; eyes large, diameter 3.0-3.7 in head length; orbital cirrus moderate, lobate; supratemporal sensory canal U-shaped and embraces 1st dorsal spine; dentary pores 3+1+3. Male first dorsal fin slightly higher than second; slightly lower in females. Key features are: overall olive green; anal fins black and white barred. Males head black; first dorsal fin, lower pectoral-fin rays and proximal portion of the pelvic-fin rays yellow females (Ref. 57774, 88983). |
| Biology: |
Female members of the Tripterygiidae have eggs that are hemispherical and covered with numerous sticky threads that anchor them in the algae on the nesting sites (Ref. 240). Larvae are planktonic which occur primarily in shallow, nearshore waters (Ref. 94114). |
| IUCN Red List Status: |
Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 07 May 2010 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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