Helcogramma shinglensis Lal Mohan 1971

This species is characterized by the following: minute scales, lateral transverse scales 9-1/1/4-6; lateral line tubules terminale below end of second dorsal; minute orbital cirri, not divided; D1 shorter than D2; head, belly and nape scaleless; with vomerine teeth (Ref. 94009).

Dorsal spines (total): 15 - 16; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Analspines: 1; Analsoft rays: 20

Adults are found on coral stones and weeds of intertidal zones (Ref. 94009). 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).

Helcogramma shinglensis is a species of triplefin from the genus Helcogramma. It has been recorded only from the Gulf of Mannar in the eastern Indian Ocean. It is accepted as a valid species by Fishbase but the Catalog of Fishes treats this taxon as synonymous with Helcogramma obtusirostris.