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Lord Howe triplefin (Enneapterygius howensis) — Tripterygiidae

Lord Howe triplefin

Enneapterygius howensis

The Lord Howe triplefin (Enneapterygius howensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Tripterygiidae that grows up to 4 cm.

Length
3.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–9.0 m
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Lord Howe triplefin is a triplefin (Tripterygiidae) from shallow reef water of the western Pacific, around Lord Howe. The species grows to about 4 cm and has a slender, brown-speckled body with three separate dorsal fins and large pectoral fins. As a bottom-dweller it perches on coral, rocks 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 Lord Howe triplefin?

The Lord Howe triplefin has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Lord Howe triplefin live?

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

How big does the Lord Howe triplefin get?

The Lord Howe triplefin grows to a maximum of about 4 cm.

Is the Lord Howe triplefin dangerous to humans?

No, the Lord Howe triplefin is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Lord Howe-drievinslijmvis sourced
English name
Lord Howe triplefin sourced
Scientific name
Enneapterygius howensis
Family
Tripterygiidae
Other names
Lord Howe Threefin 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)
9.0 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

Same genus Enneapterygius

More from the family Tripterygiidae

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