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Carmine triplefin (Enneanectes carminalis) — Tripterygiidae

Carmine triplefin

Enneanectes carminalis
NE · Not Evaluated

The Carmine triplefin (Enneanectes carminalis) is a saltwater fish of the family Tripterygiidae that grows up to 3 cm.

Length
3 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Eastern Pacific
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The carmine triplefin is a very small triplefin from the eastern Pacific, off the coast of Central America. The species reaches only about 3 cm and has an elongate body with carmine-red and white bands and three separate dorsal fins, characteristic of the triplefins. As a reef-dweller it often perches on coral and rock and feeds on small benthic life and crustaceans. The fish is harmless to humans and has no commercial value. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Carmine triplefin?

The Carmine triplefin has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly red-orange and shows a vertical stripes pattern. Three separate dorsal fins and red-and-white bands; small reef blenny

Where does the Carmine triplefin live?

The Carmine triplefin lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Eastern Pacific

How big does the Carmine triplefin get?

The Carmine triplefin grows to a maximum of about 3 cm.

Is the Carmine triplefin dangerous to humans?

No, the Carmine 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.

Is the Carmine triplefin edible?

The Carmine triplefin is not usually eaten.

More photos

Carmine triplefin (Enneanectes carminalis) — Tripterygiidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) fernando0c, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Carmine triplefin (Enneanectes carminalis) — Tripterygiidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Alberto Alcalá, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Carmine triplefin (Enneanectes carminalis) — Tripterygiidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Alberto Alcalá, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Carmine triplefin (Enneanectes carminalis) — Tripterygiidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) fernando0c, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Carmine triplefin verified
Scientific name
Enneanectes carminalis
Family
Tripterygiidae
Other names
Carmine triplefin; Delicate triplefin verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
3.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Pattern
Vertical bars sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Three separate sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Natural range
Eastern Pacific verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small benthic life and crustaceans inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Reef-dwelling triplefin; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Three separate dorsal fins and red-and-white bands; small reef blenny sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
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 Enneanectes

More from the family Tripterygiidae

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