Home · Tripterygiidae · Blackthroat threefin
Blackthroat threefin (Helcogramma decurrens) — Tripterygiidae

Blackthroat threefin

Helcogramma decurrens
NE · Not Evaluated

The Blackthroat threefin (Helcogramma decurrens) is a saltwater fish of the family Tripterygiidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
4.5 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–10.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The blackthroat threefin is a very small triplefin from the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 5 cm and has an elongate body with three separate dorsal fins; breeding males have a strikingly black head and throat. 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 Blackthroat threefin?

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

Where does the Blackthroat threefin live?

The Blackthroat threefin lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around mixed bottom.

How big does the Blackthroat threefin get?

The Blackthroat threefin grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Blackthroat threefin dangerous to humans?

No, the Blackthroat threefin is harmless to humans.

Is the Blackthroat threefin edible?

The Blackthroat threefin is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Zwartkeel-drievinslijmvis verified
English name
Blackthroat threefin verified
Scientific name
Helcogramma decurrens
Family
Tripterygiidae
Other names
Black-throated threefin; Black-throated triplefin; Gulf threefin; Southern triplefin; Threefin verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
4.5 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
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
10.0 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
Yes 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 Helcogramma

More from the family Tripterygiidae

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