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Information About

Blue-eyed Triplefin




  Regnum Animalia
  Phylum Chordata
  Classis Actinopterygii
  Ordo Perciformes
  Familia Tripterygiidae
  Genus '' Notoclinops ''
  Species '''''N segmentatus'''''
  Binomial ''Notoclinops segmentatus''
  Binomial Authority Hardy, 1987


The Blue-eyed Triplefin, ''Notoclinops segmentatus'', is a fish in the genus '' Notoclinops '', commonly found around the North Island of New Zealand from depths of a metre to about 30 metres, most common in Reef areas of broken rock. Its length is between 3 and 6 centimetres and it is easily distinguished from other small fish by its irridescent blue eyes which give its name. There are nine red vertical bars running right round the body, and an orange tinge to the back and head.

In the breeding season in winter the orange on the males becomes brighter on the head, tail, and anal fin. The rest of the body becomes blue/black. Males set up nests in small depressions on vertical rock faces at depths of about 10 to 20 metres where females are encouraged to lay their eggs. The nest is then guarded.

The Blue-eyed Triplefin's diet includes small Crustacean s (including Amphipod s and Copepod s), and has been known to remove Parasite s from larger fish.


REFERENCES



  • Tony Ayling & Geoffrey Cox, ''Collins Guide to the Sea Fishes of New Zealand'', (William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1982 ) ISBN 0-00-216987-8