Island Triplefin

This robust species is distinguished by the following characters: a patch of ctenoid scales on opercle; enlarged scale covering upper 2/3 of pectoral fin axil; first scale above pored lateral line much larger than next scale above it; a row of small spines on nasal bones; second dorsal fin with a dark distal spot (Ref. 93281).

Dorsal spines (total): 15; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8 - 9; Analspines: 2; Analsoft rays: 15 - 16

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).