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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
Range
Oceania: American Samoa, Australia, Solomon Is., Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Christmas I., Fiji and others

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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. Oceania: American Samoa, Australia, Solomon Is., Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Christmas I., Fiji and others

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. 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

Helen's triplefin (Ceratobregma helenae) — Tripterygiidae — 2
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Helen's triplefin (Ceratobregma helenae) — Tripterygiidae — 3
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Helen's triplefin (Ceratobregma helenae) — Tripterygiidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Anne Hoggett, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Helen's triplefin (Ceratobregma helenae) — Tripterygiidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Anne Hoggett, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

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; Orangebar triplefin; Helena's spiny eye triplefin; Horned triplefin; Orangebar threefin; Striped spiny-eye 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
Natural range
Oceania: American Samoa, Australia, Solomon Is., Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Christmas I., Fiji 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

More from the family Tripterygiidae

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