Ruanoho whero Hardy, 1986
Spectacled triplefin
photo by Ryan, P.

Family:  Tripterygiidae (Triplefin blennies), subfamily: Tripterygiinae
Max. size:  9 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; marine; depth range 0 - 21 m
Distribution:  Southwest Pacific: New Zealand.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Adults are commonly found in sheltered to moderately exposed areas shallower down to 21 m; less associated with rocky substratum, but may be found under, side or top of rocks. They are found in offshore islands and coastal mainland areas (Ref. 84086). They feed on a range of benthic invertebrates including ophiuroids, archaeogastropods, trichoptera and errant polychaetes (Ref. 84084). 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: 05 May 2010 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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