Home · Tripterygiidae · Maldives triplefin
Maldives triplefin (Helcogramma maldivensis) — Tripterygiidae

Maldives triplefin

Helcogramma maldivensis

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

Length
2.8 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–10.0 m
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Maldives

Want the complete picture on the Maldives triplefin?

Get the app

Description

The Maldives triplefin is a small triplefin (Tripterygiidae) from the Indian Ocean, around the Maldives. The species grows to about 2.8 cm and has an elongate body with three separate dorsal fins. The brown-speckled body provides camouflage on the reef. 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 Maldives triplefin?

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

Where does the Maldives triplefin live?

The Maldives triplefin lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: Maldives

How big does the Maldives triplefin get?

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

Is the Maldives triplefin dangerous to humans?

No, the Maldives 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

Maldives triplefin (Helcogramma maldivensis) — Tripterygiidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Emanuele Santarelli, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA))
Maldives triplefin (Helcogramma maldivensis) — Tripterygiidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) DaveandMarie, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Maldives triplefin (Helcogramma maldivensis) — Tripterygiidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Nikita Tiunov, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA))
Maldives triplefin (Helcogramma maldivensis) — Tripterygiidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) DaveandMarie, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

Want the complete picture on the Maldives triplefin?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Maldives triplefin is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Maldives triplefin sourced
Scientific name
Helcogramma maldivensis
Family
Tripterygiidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
2.8 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)
10.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Maldives 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

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Maldives triplefin?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Maldives triplefin is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Maldives triplefin? Get the app