Scalyhead Triplefin
📖 Overview
Adults are found in intertidal pools in coral reef areas . Eggs are hemispherical and covered with numerous sticky threads that anchor them in the algae on the nesting sites . Larvae are planktonic which occur primarily in shallow, nearshore waters .
🔬 Taxonomy
🐟 Physical Description
Dorsal spines (total): 18 - 19; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 11; Anal spines: 2; Anal soft rays: 20 - 21. Head to eye and preopercle with scales; small and palmate supraorbital tentacle; light gray or light brown body with 2 linear series of uneven brown blotches with larger dorsal series and some upper blotches joining with lower; below eye is an oblique, dark brown bar with white margin; remainder of head dark brown, blending to white ventrally; females with oblique dark bands on second and third dorsal fins, darkening as they cross rays; uneven, vertical dark bars on caudal fin; yellow or orange dorsal and caudal fins in males. Dorsal rays IV + XIV-XV (typically XV) + 10-11 (typically 11); lateral line discontinuous, 21-24 + 14-19; mandibular pores 5-6 + 1 + 5-6 .: elongated.
🌀 Behaviour
Behavioural data for Scalyhead Triplefin is currently being reviewed.
🦐 Diet
🥚 Reproduction
🌍 Habitat & Distribution
Marine; reef-associated; depth range 0 - 12 m . Subtropical Southwest Pacific: Australia, including Lord Howe Island, Norfolk Island, Middleton Reef, and Elizabeth Reef; and New Caledonia.
🌿 Ecology
📐 Morphometrics
🌡️ Water Parameters & Tolerance
🛡️ Conservation Assessment
📊 Population Risk & Fisheries
🔍 Similar Species
👥 Community & Contribute
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