Home · Tripterygiidae · Pygmy threefin
Pygmy threefin (Enneapterygius nanus) — Tripterygiidae

Pygmy threefin

Enneapterygius nanus
NE · Not Evaluated

The Pygmy threefin (Enneapterygius nanus) is a saltwater fish of the family Tripterygiidae that grows up to 3 cm.

Length
3 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–30.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The pygmy triplefin is a very small triplefin from the Indo-West Pacific. The species reaches only about 3 cm and has an elongate body with three separate dorsal fins and a spotted camouflage. As a reef-dweller it often perches on coral and rock in shallow water and feeds on small benthic life and crustaceans. The fish is harmless to humans and has no commercial value. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pygmy threefin?

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

Where does the Pygmy threefin live?

The Pygmy threefin lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Pygmy threefin get?

The Pygmy threefin grows to a maximum of about 3 cm.

Is the Pygmy threefin dangerous to humans?

No, the Pygmy threefin is harmless to humans.

Is the Pygmy threefin edible?

The Pygmy threefin is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Dwerg-drievinslijmvis verified
English name
Pygmy threefin verified
Scientific name
Enneapterygius nanus
Family
Tripterygiidae
Other names
Pygmy threefin; Pygmy triplefin verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
3.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Three separate sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
30.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

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

Same genus Enneapterygius

More from the family Tripterygiidae

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