Family: TRIPTERYGIIDAE, Triplefin, Triplefins

FAMILY TRIPTERYGIIDAE

TRIPLEFINS

The triplefins are small (usually 3-5 cm), elongate fishes; head robust, pointed; cirri at nostrils and over eyes but not on nape; top jaw protractile; upper and lower jaws with a wide band of conical teeth; dorsal fin in three parts, fin divided to body between them: III-IV+VIII-XIX + 8-12; anal fin 0-II, long base; pelvics I (imbedded), 2, inserted just before pectoral base; tail fin 13, 9 rays branched; scales usually rough; lateral line continuous and curved down, or in 2 parts, scales on front part with pores, those on back part with notches.

The family occurs worldwide, but most of the estimated 145 species in 30 genera occur in the Indo-Pacific. In our region there are 9 endemic members of one genus.

PREPARED BY D ROSS ROBERTSON, AFTER WILLIAMS (2002)