Threefin or triplefin blennies are blenniiforms, small percomorph marine fish of the family Tripterygiidae. Found in tropical and temperate waters of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian Oceans, the family contains about 150 species in 30 genera. The family name derives from the Greek tripteros meaning "with three wings".
With an elongated, typical blenny form, threefin blennies differ from their relatives by having a dorsal fin separated into three parts (hence the name); the first two are spinous. The small, slender pelvic fins are located underneath the throat and possess a single spine; the large anal fin may have one or two spines. The pectoral fins are greatly enlarged, and the tail fin is rounded. The New Zealand topknot, Notoclinus fenestratus, is the largest species at 20 cm in total length; most other species do not exceed 6 cm.
Many threefin blennies are brightly coloured, often for reasons of camouflage; these species are popular in the aquarium hobby. As demersal fish, threefin blennies spend most of their time on or near the bottom on coral and rocks. The fish are typically found in shallow, clear waters with sun exposure, such as lagoons and seaward reefs; nervous fish, they retreat to rock crevices at any perceived threat.
Threefin blennies are diurnal and territorial; many species exhibit sexual dichromatism, with the females drab compared to the males. The second dorsal fin is also extended in the males of some species. Small invertebrates comprise the bulk of the threefin blenny diet.
Threefin or triplefin blennies are blenniiforms, small percomorph marine fish of the family Tripterygiidae. Found in tropical and temperate waters of the...
stargazers Labrisomidae Clark Hubbs, 1952 Tripterygiidae Whitley, 1931 - threefinblennies The blenniiformids are superficially quite similar to members of the...
the Henderson triplefin (a species of threefinblenny), an unnamed species of Alticus (a genus of combtooth blenny), and an unnamed species of Ammodytes...
blacktail triplefin, also known as the blacktail threefin in Australia, is a species of threefinblenny in the genus Enneapterygius. It was described by...
collare) Spotted eagle ray (Aetobatus narinari) Maldives Blenny (Ecsenius minutus) ThreefinBlenny (Helcogramma maldivensis) Since the islands are very small...
Enneapterygius clarkae, the barred triplefin, is a species of threefinblenny in the genus Enneapterygius. It was described by Wouter Holleman in 1982...
threefinblenny family (Tripterygiidae) and may refer to: Enneapterygius bahasa, also known as the blacktail threefin, a species of threefinblenny known...
Enneapterygius howensis, the Lord Howe Island triplefin, is a species of threefinblenny in the genus Enneapterygius, described by German ichthyologist Ronald...
known commonly as the high-hat triplefin or rosy cheek threefin, is a species of triplefin blenny in the genus Enneapterygius. It was described by David...
species of threefinblenny in the genus Enneapterygius. It was described by S.C. Wang, K.T. Shao, and S.C. Shen in 1996. It is a subtropical blenny found in...
Apopterygion oculus, the ocellate triplefin, , is a threefinblenny of the family Tripterygiidae, found around the coast of New Zealand to depths of between...
known commonly as the rhinocerus triplefin or the rhino threefin, is a species of triplefin blenny in the genus Helcogramma. It was described by P.E. Hadley...
Enneapterygius fasciatus, known commonly as the tiny threefin or the banded triplefin, is a species of triplefin blenny in the genus Enneapterygius. It was originally...
Enneapterygius clea, or Clea's triplefin, is a species of threefinblenny in the genus Enneapterygius, described by German ichthyologist Ronald Fricke...
The crested triplefin or crested threefin (Trinorfolkia cristata) is a species of triplefin blenny in the genus Trinorfolkia. It was described by Rudie...
Enneapterygius nanus, the pygmy triplefin or pygmy threefin, is a species of triplefin blenny in the genus Enneapterygius. It was described by Leonard...
triplefin or northern bicoloured triplefin, in Australia, is a species of threefinblenny in the genus Enneapterygius. The species was originally described by...
melanurum is a species of fish in the family Tripterygiidae, the threefinblennies. It is widespread in the Mediterranean Sea, where it occurs around...
black and red triplefin, blacktail triplefin or masked threefin, is a species of triplefin blenny in the genus Enneapterygius. It was described by Ronald...
half-black triplefin, blackbelly triplefin, or the green-tail threefin, is a species of triplefin blenny in the genus Enneapterygius. It was originally described...
tartessicum is a species of fish in the family Tripterygiidae, the threefinblennies. It is widespread in the Mediterranean Sea and eastern Atlantic Ocean...
Tripterygion is a genus of fish in the family Tripterygiidae, the threefinblennies, the species of which are found in the north eastern Atlantic Ocean...
2 sp. nov Valid Schwarzhans Duntroonian to Altonian New Zealand A threefinblenny. The type species is T. waihaoensis; genus also includes T. clementsi...
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