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Miraculous triplefin (Enneapterygius mirabilis) — Tripterygiidae

Miraculous triplefin

Enneapterygius mirabilis

The Miraculous triplefin (Enneapterygius mirabilis) is a saltwater fish of the family Tripterygiidae that grows up to 3 cm.

Length
2.7 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
8.0–37.0 m
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Miraculous triplefin is a triplefin (Tripterygiidae) from shallow reef and rocky water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 4 cm and has a slender, spindle-shaped body with the family's characteristic three separate dorsal fins and high-set eyes; males colour up more brightly in the breeding season. As a day-active bottom-dweller it perches on coral, rock and weed and picks small crustaceans, algae and biofilm. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Miraculous triplefin?

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

Where does the Miraculous triplefin live?

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

How big does the Miraculous triplefin get?

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

Is the Miraculous triplefin dangerous to humans?

No, the Miraculous triplefin is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Wonderlijke drievinslijmvis sourced
English name
Miraculous triplefin sourced
Scientific name
Enneapterygius mirabilis
Family
Tripterygiidae
Other names
Miracle triplefin verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
2.7 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)
8.0 verified
Max depth (m)
37.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal sourced
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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