Helcogramma shinglensis Lal Mohan, 1971

Family:  Tripterygiidae (Triplefin blennies), subfamily: Tripterygiinae
Max. size:  3.5 cm TL (male/unsexed); 3.7 cm TL (female)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine
Distribution:  Eastern Indian Ocean: Gulf of Mannar.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 15-16; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 20-20. This species is characterized by the following: minute scales, lateral transverse scales 9-1/1/4-6; lateral line tubules terminale below end of second dorsal; minute orbital cirri, not divided; D1 shorter than D2; head, belly and nape scaleless; with vomerine teeth (Ref. 94009).
Biology:  Adults are found on coral stones and weeds of intertidal zones (Ref. 94009). 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: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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