White Spotted Triplefin

This species is distinguished by the following set of characters: 12-13 (rarely 14) spines on second dorsal-fin; 17-19 (rarely 20) anal-fin soft rays; 16-19 pored lateral-line scales; 17-19 notched lateral-line scales; 1-6 rows of small cycloid scales on boundary between abdomen and sides; simple, unbranched dermal flap of anterior nostril; simple dermal flap on orbit; prevomer with 1 teeth row; mandibular pore formula usually 4+1+4 (4-5+1+4-6); male with pale reddish brown body, female pale yellowish brown; shoulder girdle with 2 oblique white markings, upper one anterior to pectoral-fin base and lower one above pelvic-fin base; body with 8 dark saddle markings and a row of 5-6 small, ring-like white markings laterally; a blackish band with posterior white margin on caudal peduncle (Ref. 84020). Mandibular pore pattern 4+1+4 and D2 XIII (Ref. 79877).

Dorsal spines (total): 16; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9 - 11; Analspines: 1; Analsoft rays: 17 - 19

Known from rocky shores (Ref. 84020). 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).