Ryan Photographic - Tripterygiidae -Triplefins

Family Tripterygiidae Triplefins or Three-fin blennies

There are 115 triplefin species in 20 genera according to FishBase. These are typically small, somewhat cryptic bottom-dwelling fish. Depending upon the authority the largest triplefin is either the giant triplefin or the New Zealand topknot. Either way, as both species are New Zealand endemics, Aotearoa can lay claim to the largest triplefin at around 20cm.

Giant triplefins were considered rare until colleague and friend Chris Paulin and I rotenoned a short section of coast near Punakaiki and collected more giant triplefins than all other collectors in New Zealand history ...

The sexes are sexually dichromatic, with the males (as is common in fishes) brighter than the females. In some species males vigorously defend territories, making frequent forays to ward off intruders. While most of them are clumsy swimmers and stay around the bottom, the oblique-swimming triplefin forms schools while it feeds on plankton. Lazy individuals can occasionally be seen lying on kelp or a convenient rock.

In Raja Ampat the striped triplefin is ubiquitous and may be the most common bottom dwelling fish.

Triplefins are diurnal and mostly feed on invertebrates.

Axoclinus carminalis Carmine triplefin

Crocodilichthys gracilis Lizard Triplefin

Enneapterygius mirabilis Miracle triplefin

Enneapterygius philippinus Philippine triplefin?

Forsterygion flavonigrum Yellow-black triplefin

Forsterygion lapillum Common triplefin

Forsterygion malcolmi Mottled triplefin

Forsterygion maryannae Oblique-swimming triplefin

Forsterygion robustus Robust Triplefin

Helicogramma striata Striped triplefin

Karalepis stewarti Scaly-headed triplefin

Notoclinops segmentatus Blue-eyed triplefin

Notoclinops yaldwyni Yaldwyn's triplefin

Ruanowho whero Spectacled triplefin

Unidentified triplefin

Fishes

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