Enneapterygius nigricauda Fricke, 1997
Blacktail triplefin
Enneapterygius nigricauda
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Tripterygiidae (Triplefin blennies), subfamily: Tripterygiinae
Max. size:  2.9 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 0 - 11 m
Distribution:  Western Central Pacific: Taiwan, Philippines, Vanuatu, Tonga, American Samoa, Society Islands, Kiribati, Jarvis Island, Howland Island, Wake Island, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Guam, and Boni Islands (Japan).
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 14-17; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7-10; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 16-19. Male red with darker red, double red bars , black "mask" covering front and lower two-thirds of head, chest, and pectoral-fin base, narrow white bar at caudal-fin base, and basal two-thirds to three-fourths of caudal-fin black. Female translucent greenish grey with indistinct reddish blotches along back, middle of sides, and just above anal-fin base. Head, chest, and pectoral-fin base scaleless; short orbital tentacle present; mandibular pores 3-4 + 1 + 3-4. Maximum size to 3.5 cm TL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Adults are found on seaward and lagoon reefs, usually less than 5 m (Ref. 90102). Eggs are hemispherical and covered with numerous sticky threads that anchor them in the algae on the nesting sites (Ref. 240). Larvae are planktonic which occur primarily in shallow, nearshore waters (Ref. 94114). Minimum depth from Ref. 58018.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 03 May 2010 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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