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Yellownape triplefin (Enneapterygius flavoccipitis) — Tripterygiidae

Yellownape triplefin

Enneapterygius flavoccipitis
Family: Tripterygiidae

The Yellownape triplefin (Enneapterygius flavoccipitis) is a saltwater fish of the family Tripterygiidae that grows up to 3 cm.

Length
3.2 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–22.0 m
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia, Solomon Is., Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Indonesia, Japan, Ryukyu Is. and others

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Description

The Yellownape triplefin is a triplefin (Tripterygiidae) from shallow reef water of the western Pacific. The species grows to about 4 cm and has a slender, brown-speckled body with three separate dorsal fins and large pectoral fins. As a bottom-dweller it perches on coral, rocks and in tide pools and snaps at small crustaceans and algae. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Yellownape triplefin?

The Yellownape triplefin has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Yellownape triplefin live?

The Yellownape triplefin lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Oceania: Australia, Solomon Is., Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Indonesia, Japan, Ryukyu Is. and others

How big does the Yellownape triplefin get?

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

Is the Yellownape triplefin dangerous to humans?

No, the Yellownape 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

Yellownape triplefin (Enneapterygius flavoccipitis) — Tripterygiidae — 2
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Yellownape triplefin (Enneapterygius flavoccipitis) — Tripterygiidae — 3
P.C. Heemstra (CC BY 4.0) via GBIF — SAIAB
Yellownape triplefin (Enneapterygius flavoccipitis) — Tripterygiidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) cescgv, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Yellownape triplefin (Enneapterygius flavoccipitis) — Tripterygiidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) cescgv, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Yellownape triplefin sourced
Scientific name
Enneapterygius flavoccipitis
Family
Tripterygiidae
Other names
Two-colour threefin; Yellownape triplefin; Yellownape tripplefin; Northern bicoloured triplefin verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
3.2 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Dorsal fins
Three separate sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
22.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia, Solomon Is., Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Indonesia, Japan, Ryukyu Is. 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 Enneapterygius

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Fin

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