ENNEAPTERYGIUS NIGER - (FRICKE, 1994)
Picture courtesy of: Yves Thévenet
New Caledonian black triplefin, Black triplefin, 黑色双线鳚,
Description
First dorsal spines (total): 3; Second dorsal soft rays (total): 9-12 (usually: 10); Third dorsal soft rays (total): 7-9 (usually: 7); Anal spines: 1; Anal soft rays: 15-18 (usually: 17); Lateral scale rows: 32-37 + 1; Lateral line scales: 13-19 + 17-22; Two median mandibular pores: 4 + 2 + 4. Max. length: 3.2 cm SL male; 2.9 cm SL female. Depth range: 0 - 15 m.
Color
A black band on the caudal peduncle, about 9 basal dark spots on the female's anal fin, and a overall blackish coloration of the male with anal fin bright yellowish orange.
Etymology
Enneapterygius: from Greek, ennea = numeral nine + from Greek, pterygion = little fin. Referring to nine fins (3 dorsal, 2 pectoral, 2 ventral or pelvic, 1 anal, 1 caudal).
niger: from Latin, niger = black. Referring to overall blackish coloration of males
Original description: Enneapterygius niger Fricke, 1994 - Type locality: Grande Terre, Baie de Saint-Vincent, 21°57'24"S, 165°59'54"E, New Caledonia, depth 2-8 meters, collected by M. Kulbicki & R/V "Alis", 30 Mar. 1989.
Distribution
Western Pacific: Philippines, Taiwan, Vanuatu, New Caledonia and Pohnpei.
Biology
Adults inhabit rock and coral reefs, including intertidal pools. Eggs are hemispherical and covered with numerous sticky threads that anchor them in the algae on the nesting sites. Larvae are planktonic which occur primarily in shallow, nearshore waters.
Similar species
Enneapterygius cheni (Wang, Shao & Shen, 1996) - Reported from Tropical Western North Pacific: Micronesia to Taiwan.
Last update: 20, June 2022