Home · Tripterygiidae · Helen's triplefin
Helen's triplefin (Ceratobregma helenae) — Tripterygiidae

Helen's triplefin

Ceratobregma helenae

The Helen's triplefin (Ceratobregma helenae) is a saltwater fish of the family Tripterygiidae that grows up to 4 cm.

Length
3.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–40.0 m
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

Helen's triplefin is a triplefin (Tripterygiidae) from shallow reef water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a slender, red-brown mottled body with three separate dorsal fins and large pectoral fins. As a bottom-dweller it perches on coral, rocks and in crevices and snaps at small crustaceans and algae. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Helen's triplefin?

The Helen's triplefin has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Helen's triplefin live?

The Helen's triplefin lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Helen's triplefin get?

The Helen's triplefin grows to a maximum of about 4 cm.

Is the Helen's triplefin dangerous to humans?

No, the Helen's triplefin is harmless to humans.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Helens drievinslijmvis sourced
English name
Helen's triplefin sourced
Scientific name
Ceratobregma helenae
Family
Tripterygiidae
Other names
Helena's spiny-eye triplefin; Helena's triplefin; Helen's spiny-eye triplefin; Helen's triplefin; Helen's Triplefin verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
3.5 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots 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)
40.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
No inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

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

More from the family Tripterygiidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →