| Family: |
Tripterygiidae (Triplefin blennies), subfamily: Tripterygiinae |
| Max. size: |
4 cm TL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
reef-associated; marine; depth range 1 - 10 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Pacific: Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and northern Australia. It appears to be restricted to these areas. Occurrence in southern Japan (Ref. 559) is a misidentification and refers to Helcogramma hudsoni. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 17-19; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-11; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 16-20. Description: Dorsal fin III + XIVI-XVI + 8-11; anal fin I, 16-20; pectoral rays 15-21; pelvic fin I, 2. Mandibular pores 2-3 + 1 + 2-3. Overall translucent red or orange with bifurcated vertical dark reddish brown bands; in males banding extends to dorsal fins and anal fin black. Lacks orbital tentacle. Scaleless head, nape, and narrow portion below spinous dorsal fins. LL continuous, pored scales 18-29 (Ref. 90102). |
| Biology: |
Adults live on reef's surface, often in weedy areas, and on algal-covered rocks or on rubble. They feed on tiny invertebrates and algae (Ref. 13227). Eggs 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: 06 May 2010 Ref. (130435)
|
| Threat to humans: |
harmless |
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