Volcano Triplefin

Description: Dorsal rays III + XIV-XVI (usually XV) + 10-12; anal fins I, 21-23; pectoral rays 15-17; pelvic fin I, 2. Vertebrae 10+29; vertebral centrum, last pleural ribs 10. Lateral line continuous, pored scales 19-23 (usually 21); scales ctenoid; largest (twice in size) at the area posterior to pectoral-fin base and below the lateral line; head, nape, belly, and pectoral-fin base scaleless. Mandibular sensory pores, 4+1+4; orbital cirri minute (52308, 90102). Overall translucent to grey or brown, dorsal greenish, shading to yellowish tan on sides, with H-shaped bars, and horizontal stripe below eye. Male nuptial color of head and anterior body reddish, masked with black on ventral half, median fins also blackish (Ref. 90102).

Dorsal spines (total): 18 - 8; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10 - 12; Analspines: 1; Analsoft rays: 21 - 23

Found on boulders in exposed rocky shores, 0-4 m deep (Ref. 90102).

Adults are found among exposed boulders of rocky coasts in two volcanic islets in Banda Sea (Ref. 8927, 90102). 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).

fisheries: of no interest

Helcogramma vulcana, the volcano triplefin, is a species of triplefin blenny in the genus Helcogramma. It was described by John E. Randall and Eugenie Clark in 1993. This species is found in the western Pacific Ocean where it has been recorded from Bali to Gunung Api and Manuk in the Banda Sea.