| Family: |
Tripterygiidae (Triplefin blennies), subfamily: Tripterygiinae |
| Max. size: |
3.13 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
benthopelagic; marine |
| Distribution: |
Western Indian Ocean: Mozambique to Comoros. |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 16-16; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-11; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 18-20; Vertebrae: 34-36. Diagnosis: Dorsal fin III + XIII+ 10-11, first fin tall; anal fin I + 18-20; pectoral rays 15 (3+6+6); pelvic fin I, 2, spine short and hidden, segmented rays simple, partially united by membrane. Vertebrae 11 + 23-25. LL total lateral scales 37-38; tubed 24-30, ends below 3rd dorsal fin; transverse 9/7; nape, belly, and anterior of 1st dorsal fin base scaleless, caudal-fin base with 2-3 rows of scales. Mandibular pores 4+1+4. Lower labial folds narrow; upper lip inner margin crenulated. Orbital cirrus simple and pointed. Head length 3.4 in SL; eye 2.9, maxilla 2.2 in HL. Overall dark pink, with 3 orange spots at 2nd dorsal-fin base, and pink spots along midline and anal-fin base. Males masked black below eye. Females unmasked head; caudal peduncle with dark bar (Ref. 75031). |
| 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)
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| Threat to humans: |
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