Enneapterygius flavoccipitis Shen, 1994
Yellownape tripplefin
Enneapterygius flavoccipitis
photo by Hazes, B.

Family:  Tripterygiidae (Triplefin blennies), subfamily: Tripterygiinae
Max. size:  3.2 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 22 m
Distribution:  Western Central Pacific.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 14-15; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8-10; Anal spines: 1-1; Anal soft rays: 17-18. Male dark grey with large yellow patch dorsally on head, and lower head and pectoral-fin base black. Female tan with 5 double brown bars on side. Both sexes with black bar at caudal-fin base preceded by white bar/saddle. Dorsal rays III + XI-XII + 8-10; anal rays I,17-18; pectoral rays 14-17; pelvic rays I,2; lateral line interrupted 15-17 + 17-22; head, chest, and pectoral-fin base scaleless; short orbital tentacle present; mandibular pores 3 + 1 + 3. Maximum size to 3.2 cm TL (Ref. 90102).
Biology:  Adults occur on rocky substrates in association with coral reefs or coral reef lagoons, from shallow areas to the outer reef slope, also in intertidal rock pools (Ref. 13227, 27223). 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: 03 May 2010 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless
Country info:  Known from Batanes, Luzon, Iloilo, Cebu and Negros Oriental (Ref. 27223). Also known from Cuyo Islands (Ref. 90102).


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