Red triplefin

Tripterygion tripteronotum

Occurring in

Black Sea
Mediterranean
North Atlantic

1-10m

DayActive

not endangered

In the fish world, males and females can hardly differ more: during mating season, males are bright red with black heads and behave strongly territorially and aggressively. In contrast, the color of females and young animals is unobtrusively brown. The thin, oblong pointed triplefin is delicate and has strikingly large fins.

Risk of confusion

Zvonimir's hagfish Spitzkopf Schleimfische, die sich im Mittelmeer zum Verwechseln ähnlich sehen.

Surprise blenny Spitzkopf Schleimfische, die sich im Mittelmeer zum Verwechseln ähnlich sehen.

Tompot blenny Spitzkopf Schleimfische, die sich im Mittelmeer zum Verwechseln ähnlich sehen.

Blackfaced blenny Spitzkopf Schleimfische, die sich im Mittelmeer zum Verwechseln ähnlich sehen.

Habitat

Rocky Reef

Special features

In the fish world, males and females can hardly differ more: during mating season, males are bright red with black heads and behave strongly territorially and aggressively.

In contrast, the color of females and young animals is unobtrusively brown.

vb_roter_pointed hagefish_tripterygion_tripteronotus_diving_diving_mediterranean

Appearance

The thin, oblong pointed triplefin is delicate and has strikingly large fins.

He uses them to position the front part of his body upright.

The dorsal fins are divided in two and curvingly shaped. They are reminiscent of tango dancers' clothes.

His eyes are big and his lips are always pursed.

Natural enemies

Painted comber 534 (Serranus scriba)

Dangerous/Venomous

The Red triplefin is neither dangerous nor venomous.

Sketch

Tripterygion tripteronotum_divedict

1. Curvingly shaped, two-part dorsal fin

2. Chest and ventral fin for support

3. Pointy lips

Pro tips

He is usually a loner, but during mating season males try their best at dancing and presenting their magnificent fins to attract females.

If they succeed, the females lay their eggs in the territory of the male, who then guards them.

divedict_foto_biolexicon_fish_mediterranean_picture_tripterygion_tripteronotus_roter_pointed head_muchfish_crotien_Italy_Nord_Adria_France

Text: Carolina Leiter, Felician Hosp, Pia Balaka

Pic: Felician Hosp, Sabine Probst

Illustration: Dive Dict