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Shortscale threefin (Norfolkia brachylepis) — Tripterygiidae

Shortscale threefin

Norfolkia brachylepis
Family: Tripterygiidae

The Shortscale threefin (Norfolkia brachylepis) is a saltwater fish of the family Tripterygiidae that grows up to 7 cm.

Length
7.3 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–25.0 m
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: American Samoa, Australia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Christmas I., Fiji and others

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Description

The shortscale threefin is a triplefin (Tripterygiidae) from shallow rocky and reef water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a slender, brown-banded body with three separate dorsal fins and large eyes. As a bottom-dweller it rests on propping pectoral fins on rock and coral rubble and snaps at small crustaceans and algae. It is strongly camouflaged. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Shortscale threefin?

The Shortscale threefin has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Shortscale threefin live?

The Shortscale threefin lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: American Samoa, Australia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Christmas I., Fiji and others

How big does the Shortscale threefin get?

The Shortscale threefin grows to a maximum of about 7 cm.

Is the Shortscale threefin dangerous to humans?

No, the Shortscale threefin 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

Shortscale threefin (Norfolkia brachylepis) — Tripterygiidae — 2
iNaturalist ((c) dharmamitra, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Shortscale threefin (Norfolkia brachylepis) — Tripterygiidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) Glen Whisson, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Shortscale threefin (Norfolkia brachylepis) — Tripterygiidae — 4
P.C. Heemstra (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Shortscale threefin (Norfolkia brachylepis) — Tripterygiidae — 5
Richard Winterbottom (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Shortscale threefin sourced
Scientific name
Norfolkia brachylepis
Family
Tripterygiidae
Other names
Rough-head triplefin; Scalyfin threefin; Scalyfin triplefin; Scaly-head threefin; Tropical scaly-headed triplefin; Redfin Triplefin; Schultz' triplefin verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
7.3 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
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
25.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: American Samoa, Australia, Sri Lanka, 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

Same genus Norfolkia

Leeuwin triplefin (Norfolkia leeuwin) — Tripterygiidae
Leeuwin triplefin
Norfolkia leeuwin
Tripterygiidae
 Thomas' triplefin (Norfolkia thomasi) — Tripterygiidae
Thomas' triplefin
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Fin

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