Enneapterygius rubicauda Shen, 1994
Redtail triplefin
Enneapterygius rubicauda
photo by Shao, K.T.

Family:  Tripterygiidae (Triplefin blennies), subfamily: Tripterygiinae
Max. size:  3.7 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 0 - 12 m
Distribution:  Western Pacific: Ryukyu and Ogasawara islands, Taiwan, Philippines, New Caledonia, and Vanuatu.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 14-18; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-11; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 18-21. Red and orange, marbled with white, broad orange or red bar on caudal peduncle of female, black head "mask" and caudal peduncle in male, and reddish caudal fin. Head, chest, and pectoral-fin base scaleless; tiny orbital tentacle; mandibular pores 3-4 + 1 + 3-4. Maximum size to 4.4 cm TL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Adults inhabit rock and coral reefs at 7 m or shallower (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).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 16 March 2010 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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