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Ocellate triplefin (Apopterygion oculus) — Tripterygiidae

Ocellate triplefin

Apopterygion oculus

The Ocellate triplefin (Apopterygion oculus) is a saltwater fish of the family Tripterygiidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6.3 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
14.0–186.0 m
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: New Zealand

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Description

The ocellate triplefin is a small triplefin (Tripterygiidae) from coastal waters around New Zealand. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a slender body with three separate dorsal fins and an eyespot on the front dorsal fin. As a bottom-dweller it lives on rocky and sponge-covered reefs and snaps at small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Ocellate triplefin?

The Ocellate triplefin has a torpedo-shaped body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Ocellate triplefin live?

The Ocellate triplefin lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Oceania: New Zealand

How big does the Ocellate triplefin get?

The Ocellate triplefin grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Ocellate triplefin dangerous to humans?

No, the Ocellate 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

Ocellate triplefin (Apopterygion oculus) — Tripterygiidae — 2
Luca Davenport-Thomas (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — iNaturalist
Ocellate triplefin (Apopterygion oculus) — Tripterygiidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Luca Davenport-Thomas, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Ocellate triplefin (Apopterygion oculus) — Tripterygiidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) Luca Davenport-Thomas, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Ocellate triplefin (Apopterygion oculus) — Tripterygiidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) judyo1, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Ocellate triplefin sourced
Scientific name
Apopterygion oculus
Family
Tripterygiidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.3 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped 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)
14.0 verified
Max depth (m)
186.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: New Zealand 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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