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Cocos triplefin (Axoclinus cocoensis) — Tripterygiidae

Cocos triplefin

Axoclinus cocoensis

The Cocos triplefin (Axoclinus cocoensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Tripterygiidae that grows up to 4 cm.

Length
3.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
7.0–8.0 m
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Cocos triplefin is a very small triplefin (Tripterygiidae) from the eastern Pacific, around Cocos Island. The species grows to about 4 cm and has a stocky body with three separate dorsal fins, characteristic of the triplefins, and a mottled pattern. As a bottom-dweller it lives on shallow rocky and coral reefs and snaps at small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Cocos triplefin?

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

Where does the Cocos triplefin live?

The Cocos triplefin lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Cocos triplefin get?

The Cocos triplefin grows to a maximum of about 4 cm.

Is the Cocos triplefin dangerous to humans?

No, the Cocos triplefin is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Cocos-drievinslijmvis sourced
English name
Cocos triplefin sourced
Scientific name
Axoclinus cocoensis
Family
Tripterygiidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
7.0 verified
Max depth (m)
8.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Axoclinus

More from the family Tripterygiidae

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