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Galapagos triplefin blenny (Lepidonectes corallicola) — Tripterygiidae

Galapagos triplefin blenny

Lepidonectes corallicola
LC · Least Concern

The Galapagos triplefin blenny (Lepidonectes corallicola) is a saltwater fish of the family Tripterygiidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
8.9 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–12.0 m
Diet
Omnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Galapagos Islands
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The Galapagos triplefin blenny is a small blenny endemic to the Galapagos Islands in the eastern Pacific. The species grows to about 9 cm and has three separate dorsal fins, characteristic of the triplefins. It lives on rocky reefs, boulder-strewn slopes and walls between 1 and 12 metres depth. Males hold small territories on vertical rock faces, guard the egg masses and attract several females; spawning runs from November to February. The fish is harmless to humans and is assessed as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Galapagos triplefin blenny?

The Galapagos triplefin blenny has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Three separate dorsal fins; males guard the clutch on rock faces

Where does the Galapagos triplefin blenny live?

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

How big does the Galapagos triplefin blenny get?

The Galapagos triplefin blenny grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Galapagos triplefin blenny dangerous to humans?

No, the Galapagos triplefin blenny 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 Galapagos triplefin blenny edible?

The Galapagos triplefin blenny is not usually eaten.

More photos

Galapagos triplefin blenny (Lepidonectes corallicola) — Tripterygiidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — (c) Georgina Jones, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Galapagos triplefin blenny (Lepidonectes corallicola) — Tripterygiidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Gail Ashton PhD, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Galapagos triplefin blenny (Lepidonectes corallicola) — Tripterygiidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — (c) Georgina Jones, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Galapagos triplefin blenny (Lepidonectes corallicola) — Tripterygiidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Billy Bensted-Smith, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Galapagos triplefin blenny verified
Scientific name
Lepidonectes corallicola
Family
Tripterygiidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
8.9 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Three separate sourced
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
12.0 verified
Natural range
Galapagos Islands verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Omnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Algae and small invertebrates inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
Yes sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Spawns November to February; the male guards the clutch. sourced
Special features
Three separate dorsal fins; males guard the clutch on rock faces 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 Lepidonectes

More from the family Tripterygiidae

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