Helcogramma nesion Williams & Howe, 2003
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Tripterygiidae (Triplefin blennies), subfamily: Tripterygiinae
Max. size: 
Environment:  benthopelagic; marine; depth range 3 - 10 m
Distribution:  Northwest Pacific: Japan and the Ogasawara Islands, Okino-shima at the south-western tip of Shikoku Island.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 17-18; Dorsal soft rays (total): 12-13; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 20-22. With 1-2 symphysial mandibular sensory pores, second dorsal fin spines XIV, third dorsal fin segmented rays 11, last ribs on vertebral centrum 10, vertebrae 10+28 or 29=38 or 39, pored lateral line scales typically 25 to 27, nape scales absent, small isolated patch of scales on either side of nape, each patch surrounded by naked area.
Biology:  Female members of the Tripterygiidae have eggs that 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: 06 May 2010 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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