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Blue-eyed triplefin (Notoclinops segmentatus) — Tripterygiidae

Blue-eyed triplefin

Notoclinops segmentatus

The Blue-eyed triplefin (Notoclinops segmentatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Tripterygiidae that grows up to 4 cm.

Length
4.4 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–40.0 m
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: New Zealand

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Description

The blue-eyed triplefin is a small triplefin (Tripterygiidae) endemic to the waters around New Zealand. The species grows to about 4 cm and has a translucent body with red crossbars and strikingly blue-iridescent eyes. As a bottom-dweller it lives on shallow rocky reefs and among sponges and snaps at small zooplankton and invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Blue-eyed triplefin?

The Blue-eyed triplefin has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Blue-eyed triplefin live?

The Blue-eyed triplefin lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Oceania: New Zealand

How big does the Blue-eyed triplefin get?

The Blue-eyed triplefin grows to a maximum of about 4 cm.

Is the Blue-eyed triplefin dangerous to humans?

No, the Blue-eyed 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

Blue-eyed triplefin (Notoclinops segmentatus) — Tripterygiidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Luca Davenport-Thomas, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blue-eyed triplefin (Notoclinops segmentatus) — Tripterygiidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) ryan_slattery, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Blue-eyed triplefin (Notoclinops segmentatus) — Tripterygiidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Shaun Lee, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Blue-eyed triplefin (Notoclinops segmentatus) — Tripterygiidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Kim Nesbitt, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Blue-eyed triplefin sourced
Scientific name
Notoclinops segmentatus
Family
Tripterygiidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.4 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Dorsal fins
Three separate sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
40.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: New Zealand 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 Notoclinops

More from the family Tripterygiidae

Fin

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