Triton Tilefish

This species differs from its congeners by the following characters: fewer lateral-line scales; reddish-brown bars on the side about 15 to 17; behind the eye is an obliquely angled, blue-edged yellow-orange stripe; across the operculum a thin blue stripe; across the entire caudal peduncle, a neon blue region; vivid red central caudal fin-rays (Ref. 75884).Description: Preopercular serrae 14-19; greatest depth of body 3.5-3.7 in SL (Ref. 90102).

Dorsal spines (total): 9 - 10; Dorsal soft rays (total): 13 - 14; Analspines: 2; Analsoft rays: 12; Vertebrae: 24

The areas of occurrence are exposed to periodic strong currents with about 15 individuals observed on gentle rubble slopes at depths of 42-60 m; seen solitarily, in pairs, or trios and generally in close proximity to large rubble mounds (estimated to range from 50-60 cm in height and 1.8-2 m in diameter. When approached too closely or frightened by spear shots, the fish quickly retreated into their burrow which are at the apex of the mound (Ref. 75884).