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Triangle triplefin (Helcogramma inclinata) — Tripterygiidae

Triangle triplefin

Helcogramma inclinata

The Triangle triplefin (Helcogramma inclinata) is a saltwater fish of the family Tripterygiidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
4.6 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–9.0 m
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Japan, Ryukyu Is., Philippines

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Description

The triangle triplefin is a small triplefin (Tripterygiidae) from the western Pacific. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a stocky body with three separate dorsal fins; breeding males have a black head and forebody with a white triangle marking. As a bottom-dweller it lives on shallow coral and rocky reefs and snaps at small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Triangle triplefin?

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

Where does the Triangle triplefin live?

The Triangle triplefin lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Japan, Ryukyu Is., Philippines

How big does the Triangle triplefin get?

The Triangle triplefin grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Triangle triplefin dangerous to humans?

No, the Triangle 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

Triangle triplefin (Helcogramma inclinata) — Tripterygiidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Chiang, M. C.; Chen, I. S. (CC BY 3.0)
Triangle triplefin (Helcogramma inclinata) — Tripterygiidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) 呂一起(Lyu yi-chi), some rights reserved (CC BY))
Triangle triplefin (Helcogramma inclinata) — Tripterygiidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) 劉佳勳, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Triangle triplefin (Helcogramma inclinata) — Tripterygiidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) R Lai, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Triangle triplefin sourced
Scientific name
Helcogramma inclinata
Family
Tripterygiidae
Other names
Triangle triplefin verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.6 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)
9.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Japan, Ryukyu Is., Philippines sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Territorial
No inferred
Activity
Diurnal inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes sourced
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

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