Helcogramma novaecaledoniae Fricke, 1994
New Caledonian triplefin

Family:  Tripterygiidae (Triplefin blennies), subfamily: Tripterygiinae
Max. size:  4.15 cm SL (male/unsexed); 3.47 cm SL (female)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 2 - 38 m
Distribution:  Western Central Pacific: New Caledonia and the Solomon Islands.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 16-18; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-12; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 18-22. Description: Dorsal fin III + XIII-XV + 9-12 (usually 11); anal fin I, 18-22; pectoral rays 15-17; pelvic fin I, 2. Mandibular pores 4-5 + 1 + 4-5. Overall translucent grey with oblique bars, six, dark reddish brown, H-shaped, upper part spotty; head also with red spots; females paler than males. Lacks orbital tentacle. Scaleless head, nape, and narrow portion below spinous dorsal fins. LL continuous, pored scales 18-29 (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Adults are found in outer slopes and reef flats (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 of 1.5 m reported from Ref. 90102.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 06 May 2010 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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