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Blacktail triplefin (Axoclinus nigricaudus) — Tripterygiidae

Blacktail triplefin

Axoclinus nigricaudus

The Blacktail triplefin (Axoclinus nigricaudus) is a saltwater fish of the family Tripterygiidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
4.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–3.0 m
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Mexico

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Description

The Blacktail triplefin is a triplefin (Tripterygiidae) from shallow reef water of the eastern Pacific, in the Gulf of California. The species grows to about 4 cm and has a slender, brown with a dark tail body with three separate dorsal fins and large pectoral fins. As a bottom-dweller it perches on rocks, coral and in tide pools and snaps at small crustaceans and algae. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blacktail triplefin?

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

Where does the Blacktail triplefin live?

The Blacktail triplefin lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. North America: Mexico

How big does the Blacktail triplefin get?

The Blacktail triplefin grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Blacktail triplefin dangerous to humans?

No, the Blacktail 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

Blacktail triplefin (Axoclinus nigricaudus) — Tripterygiidae — 2
Franks, April (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Blacktail triplefin (Axoclinus nigricaudus) — Tripterygiidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Sue, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blacktail triplefin (Axoclinus nigricaudus) — Tripterygiidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Abram Fleishman, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA))
Blacktail triplefin (Axoclinus nigricaudus) — Tripterygiidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Álvaro San José Elizundia, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Blacktail triplefin sourced
Scientific name
Axoclinus nigricaudus
Family
Tripterygiidae
Other names
Cortez triplefin verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.5 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
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
3.0 verified
Natural range
North America: Mexico 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

Same genus Axoclinus

More from the family Tripterygiidae

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