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Panama triplefin (Axoclinus lucillae) — Tripterygiidae

Panama triplefin

Axoclinus lucillae

The Panama triplefin (Axoclinus lucillae) is a saltwater fish of the family Tripterygiidae that grows up to 3 cm.

Length
3 cm
Water
Saltwater
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
North America: Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and others

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Description

The Panama triplefin is a small triplefin (Tripterygiidae) from coastal waters of the eastern Pacific, off Central America. The species grows to only about 3 cm and has an elongate body with three separate dorsal fins and, in males, contrasting colours in courtship. 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 Panama triplefin?

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

Where does the Panama triplefin live?

The Panama triplefin lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. North America: Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and others

How big does the Panama triplefin get?

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

Is the Panama triplefin dangerous to humans?

No, the Panama 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

Panama triplefin (Axoclinus lucillae) — Tripterygiidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) Uma Mezzanotte, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Panama triplefin (Axoclinus lucillae) — Tripterygiidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Sebastián Mena, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Panama triplefin (Axoclinus lucillae) — Tripterygiidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) keesgroenendijk, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Panama triplefin (Axoclinus lucillae) — Tripterygiidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Uma Mezzanotte, some rights reserved (CC BY))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Panama triplefin sourced
Scientific name
Axoclinus lucillae
Family
Tripterygiidae
Other names
Panamic triplefin verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
3.0 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
Natural range
North America: Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico 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 Axoclinus

More from the family Tripterygiidae

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