High Hat Triplefin

Identified by the tall first dorsal fin that is white in males (Ref. 48636). Large individuals may have conspicuous dark spot on upper middle of second dorsal fin connected to a band extending down the sides as well as about 5 darker bars on body and red snout and lower head (Ref. 37816).

Dorsal spines (total): 13 - 16; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7 - 10; Analspines: 1; Analsoft rays: 15 - 20

Found in various reef habitats, but often on sponges or reef outcrops (Ref. 37816, 48636); also in intertidal pools (Ref. 13227); on algal-covered rocks or on rubble (Ref. 2334). Feeds on drifting zooplankton (Ref. 48636), tiny invertebrates and algae (Ref. 2334).

Adults are found in various reef habitats, but often on sponges or reef outcrops (Ref. 48636). Also found in intertidal pools (Ref. 13227) and on corals and rocks (Ref. 37816). They feed on zooplankton (Ref. 48636). 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). The most common and most widely distributed among Enneapterygius species (Ref. 90102). Minimum depth reported from Ref. 13227.

fisheries: of no interest