Cocos Triplefin

Lateral line gradually descending from upper edge of gill cover to midlateral axis; lateral line with 21-26 tubed scales followed by 8-12 notched scales; total scales in longitudinal series 33-35; a small lanceolate cirrus on upper edge of eye. Head pink to reddish; side with 3 broad, dark brown bars with narrow, whitish spaces between them; a black band around base of caudal fin; caudal fin frequently black (Ref. 11482).

Dorsal spines (total): 16; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9; Analspines: 2; Analsoft rays: 18

Inhabits shallow rocky areas. Feeds on tiny invertebrates and algae.

Adults inhabit shallow rocky areas. They feed on tiny invertebrates and algae (Ref. 11482). 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).

Axoclinus cocoensis, known commonly as the Cocos triplefin, is a species of triplefin blenny. It is found only on shallow reefs around Cocos Island in the eastern Pacific Ocean, part of Costa Rica.