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Fourspot triplefin (Helcogramma fuscipectoris) — Tripterygiidae

Fourspot triplefin

Helcogramma fuscipectoris

The Fourspot triplefin (Helcogramma fuscipectoris) is a saltwater fish of the family Tripterygiidae that grows up to 3 cm.

Length
3.2 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–8.0 m
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Ryukyu Is. and others

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Description

The Fourspot triplefin is a small triplefin (Tripterygiidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 3 cm and has an elongate body with three separate dorsal fins. A few dark spots stand out on the forebody. As a bottom-dweller it perches on rocks and coral rubble of shallow reefs and picks small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Fourspot triplefin?

The Fourspot triplefin has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Fourspot triplefin live?

The Fourspot triplefin lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Ryukyu Is. and others

How big does the Fourspot triplefin get?

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

Is the Fourspot triplefin dangerous to humans?

No, the Fourspot 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

Fourspot triplefin (Helcogramma fuscipectoris) — Tripterygiidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Chiang, M. C.; Chen, I. S. (CC BY 3.0)
Fourspot triplefin (Helcogramma fuscipectoris) — Tripterygiidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Edward, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fourspot triplefin (Helcogramma fuscipectoris) — Tripterygiidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Andres.J, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fourspot triplefin (Helcogramma fuscipectoris) — Tripterygiidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) kuroshio, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Fourspot triplefin sourced
Scientific name
Helcogramma fuscipectoris
Family
Tripterygiidae
Other names
Fourspot triplefin verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
3.2 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown 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)
8.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Ryukyu Is. and others 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 Helcogramma

More from the family Tripterygiidae

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