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Bighead triplefin (Trianectes bucephalus) — Tripterygiidae

Bighead triplefin

Trianectes bucephalus

The Bighead triplefin (Trianectes bucephalus) is a saltwater fish of the family Tripterygiidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
7 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–5.0 m
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia

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Description

The bighead triplefin is a small triplefin (Tripterygiidae) from coastal and brackish water of the western Pacific. The species grows to about 7 cm and has a stocky body with a notably large head and three separate dorsal fins. As a bottom-dweller it lives on rocky and weed-covered bottoms of shallow water and snaps at small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bighead triplefin?

The Bighead triplefin has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Bighead triplefin live?

The Bighead triplefin lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around mixed bottom. Oceania: Australia

How big does the Bighead triplefin get?

The Bighead triplefin grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Bighead triplefin dangerous to humans?

No, the Bighead triplefin is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

More photos

Bighead triplefin (Trianectes bucephalus) — Tripterygiidae — 2
B. Hutchins, Western Australian Museum (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF
Bighead triplefin (Trianectes bucephalus) — Tripterygiidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Josh Nitschke, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Bighead triplefin (Trianectes bucephalus) — Tripterygiidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) luke-baade, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bighead triplefin (Trianectes bucephalus) — Tripterygiidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) David Spencer Muirhead, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Bighead triplefin sourced
Scientific name
Trianectes bucephalus
Family
Tripterygiidae
Other names
Big-head threefin; Bullhead triplefin; Ox-headed triplefin; Verco's triplefin; Bighead threefin verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Dorsal fins
Three separate sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
5.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

More from the family Tripterygiidae

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