| Family: |
Tripterygiidae (Triplefin blennies), subfamily: Tripterygiinae |
| Max. size: |
3.74 cm SL (male/unsexed) |
| Environment: |
benthopelagic; marine; depth range 0 - 3 m |
| Distribution: |
Western Indian and Southeast Atlantic: from Mozambique (Bazaruto) to South Africa. Speciimens collected from Shimoni, Kenya may refer to the species but are in poor condition so until additional specimens are available, Bazaruto is considered its most northern limit (Ref. 75031). |
| Diagnosis: |
Dorsal spines (total): 10-17; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-11; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 19-19; Vertebrae: 34-35. Diagnosis: Medium to large species of the genus. Dorsal fin III + XIII+ 10, 2nd fin twice the 1st; anal fin I, 19; pectoral rays 16 (1+8+7); pelvic fin I, 2, spine short and hidden, segmented rays simple, partially united by membrane. Vertebrae 10+24-25. LL total lateral scales 37-38; tubed 21-31 (geographically variant means), ends below junction of 2nd and 3rd dorsal fin; nape, belly, 1st dorsal fin and anterior anal-fin bases scaleless, caudal-fin base with 2 rows of scales. Mandibular pores 5+1+5. Orbital cirrus simple and small. Head length 3.3-3.7 in SL; eye 2.6-3.2, maxilla 2.2-2.6 in HL. Males body with red and black spots evenly scattered, vertical stripes from dorsal fin to midline of side, and silvery spots below midline; head with blue stripe from mouth corner to preopercle, upperlip corner with crimson markings, black in the center (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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