Matador triplefin

📖 Overview

Matador triplefin (Enneanectes matador) is a ray-finned fish of the family Tripterygiidae. It inhabits marine (saltwater) waters in reef-associated environments. This species can reach a maximum total length of 2.1 cm. With a trophic level of 2.9, it is a low-level carnivore, feeding on invertebrates and small organisms. It is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

🔬 Taxonomy

🐟 Physical Description

Dorsal spines (total): 15; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8 - 9; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 16 - 17. This species is distinguished by the following characters: belly, pectoral-fin base and cheek naked; spiny preorbital bone in adults; snout blunt; 3 rows of scales above rear pored scales, the first 2 rows about equal-sized; relatively short first dorsal fin (all characters of E. boehlkei complex); red-barred or all-red caudal fin with no duskiness, dark bars, or black shading (or any concentrations of melanophores visible under microscopy); when alive, white-black-red-white-red color bands extend from caudal peduncle rearward (in breeding males caudal fin can be all red); fifth body bar darker than preceding bars and usually narrower than preceding pale interspace; second dorsal-fin membranes with broad band of fine speckling covering most of fin membranes (more than outer half) and no distinct rounded dark spots near spine bases; D III+XII+8-9; A II,16-17; mode of 14 pored lateral-line scales and 22 scales in notched midline row : elongated; Cross section: oval.

🌀 Behaviour

Behavioural data for Matador triplefin is currently being reviewed.

🦐 Diet

🥚 Reproduction

🌍 Habitat & Distribution

Marine; reef-associated. Tropical Central Atlantic: Dominica, the Virgin Islands, and Panama.

🌿 Ecology

📐 Morphometrics

🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance

🛡️ Conservation Assessment

📊 Population Risk & Fisheries

🐠 Related Species

🔍 Similar Species

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