Mottled triplefin
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| Forsterygion malcolmi Hardy, 1987 |
The mottled triplefin, Forsterygion malcolmi, is a triplefin of the genus Forsterygion, found around New Zealand at depths down to 30 m, in reef areas of broken rock.
The mottled triplefin is similar in appearance to the variable triplefin and has similar habits. Its length is between 6 and 12 cm. Its non-breeding colouration is whitish with 6 irregular orange-brown vertical bars on the body and orange patches on the head. The whitish areas between the bands extend up through the dorsal fins. During the breeding season males turn black on both the head and body.
The mottled triplefin's diet consists of small crustaceans, gastropods, and other invertebrates.
[edit] References
- Forsterygion malcolmi (TSN 638493). Integrated Taxonomic Information System. Accessed on 11 March 2006.
- "Forsterygion malcolmi". FishBase. Ed. Ranier Froese and Daniel Pauly. January 2006 version. N.p.: FishBase, 2006.
- Tony Ayling & Geoffrey Cox, Collins Guide to the Sea Fishes of New Zealand, (William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1982) ISBN 0-00-216987-8
