Helcogramma nigra Williams & Howe, 2003
Rotuma triplefin
Helcogramma nigra
photo by Williams, J.T.

Family:  Tripterygiidae (Triplefin blennies), subfamily: Tripterygiinae
Max. size:  3.8 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; marine; depth range 1 - 14 m
Distribution:  Western Central Pacific: Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, and Fiji.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 16-17; Dorsal soft rays (total): 11-13; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 19-21; Vertebrae: 36-38. A species of Helcogramma (sensu Hansen, 1986) with 1-2 symphysial mandibular sensory pores, second dorsal fin spines XIII (two of 26 specimens with XIV), third dorsal fin segmented rays 10-12, last ribs on vertebral centrum 11, vertebrae modally 11+26=37 (value range: 11+25 to 27=36 to 38), pored lateral line scales modally 25 (value range: 23-29), nape scales absent, males with dorsal, caudal and anal fins dark.
Biology:  Adults inhabit exposed rocky and coralline boulders of coasts (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: 06 May 2010 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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