Enneapterygius qirmiz Holleman & Bogorodsky, 2012
Crimson triplefin
Enneapterygius qirmiz
photo by Cox, C.D.

Family:  Tripterygiidae (Triplefin blennies), subfamily: Tripterygiinae
Max. size:  1.69 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 0 - 9 m
Distribution:  Western Indian Ocean: Red Sea, Gulf of Aqaba, at Ras Mohammad and Ethiopia and off Yemen; the species is widespread, though not common in the Red Sea.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 15-16; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 17-18; Vertebrae: 33-34. This species is distinguished by the following characters: small sized with a maximum recorded SL of 25.3 mm; D1 III, D2 XII-XIII, D3 9, first dorsal fin about the same height as the second; A I,17; pectoral fin 14; nape scaled; both sexes with characteristic oval patch of melanophores on dorsum between third and fourth dorsal-fin spines, males with large rectangular blotch of melanophores and brown pigment on side below posterior of second dorsal fin; red in life, with first dorsal of males crimson in front with golden yellow marks, white behind, base of fin a white patch on dorsum (Ref. 88983).
Biology:  Adults are found in environments very similar to E. obscurus. They also commonly occur in isolated reefs far from coasts wherein other Enneapterygius spp. could not be found (Ref. 88983). 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).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 11 April 2012 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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