Home · Tripterygiidae · Cunningham's triplefin
Cunningham's triplefin (Helcogrammoides cunninghami) — Tripterygiidae

Cunningham's triplefin

Helcogrammoides cunninghami

The Cunningham's triplefin (Helcogrammoides cunninghami) is a saltwater fish of the family Tripterygiidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6.2 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–20.0 m
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

Cunningham's triplefin is a small triplefin (Tripterygiidae) from coastal waters of southern South America, off Chile and Argentina. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a stocky body with three separate dorsal fins and a mottled pattern. As a bottom-dweller it lives in tide pools and on shallow rocky reefs among weed and snaps at small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Cunningham's triplefin?

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

Where does the Cunningham's triplefin live?

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

How big does the Cunningham's triplefin get?

The Cunningham's triplefin grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Cunningham's triplefin dangerous to humans?

No, the Cunningham's triplefin is harmless to humans.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Cunninghams drievinslijmvis sourced
English name
Cunningham's triplefin sourced
Scientific name
Helcogrammoides cunninghami
Family
Tripterygiidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
6.2 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
Max depth (m)
20.0 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 Helcogrammoides

More from the family Tripterygiidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →