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Spectacled triplefin (Ruanoho whero) — Tripterygiidae

Spectacled triplefin

Ruanoho whero

The Spectacled triplefin (Ruanoho whero) is a saltwater fish of the family Tripterygiidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
9 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–21.0 m
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Mixed bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Spectacled triplefin is a triplefin (Tripterygiidae) from coastal waters around New Zealand. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a slender, brown with reddish tints body with three separate dorsal fins and large pectoral fins. As a bottom-dweller it perches on rocks, reefs and in tide pools and snaps at small crustaceans and other small invertebrates. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Spectacled triplefin?

The Spectacled triplefin has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly brown.

Where does the Spectacled triplefin live?

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

How big does the Spectacled triplefin get?

The Spectacled triplefin grows to a maximum of about 9 cm.

Is the Spectacled triplefin dangerous to humans?

No, the Spectacled triplefin is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Roodbuik-drievinslijmvis sourced
English name
Spectacled triplefin sourced
Scientific name
Ruanoho whero
Family
Tripterygiidae

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Mixed bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
21.0 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 Ruanoho

More from the family Tripterygiidae

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