This is a series of articles I’ve decided to publish under the title “Diver’s Len.”
The goal of these articles is to inform readers about the species of marine life found in the Maldivian ocean and captured by photographers and videographers.
In addition to the photographs and videos, we have included a summary of general and scientific information about the species.
The photographer or diver has granted permission for the publication of the photos and videos in these articles.
This is a series of articles I’ve decided to publish under the title “Diver’s Len.”
The goal of these articles is to inform readers about the species of marine life found in the Maldivian ocean and captured by photographers and videographers.
In addition to the photographs and videos, we have included a summary of general and scientific information about the species.
The photographer or diver has granted permission for the publication of the photos and videos in these articles.
COMMON NAME: Maldives Triplefin fish
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Tripterygiidae
EATS: Invertebrates, zooplankton
FAMILY: Blennies—Triplefin Blennies
The Maldives Triplefin, or Helicogramma maldivensis, is a fish that lives only in the Maldives. It lives in reefs with clear water, usually on coral patches on steep slopes or drop-offs. Its depth ranges from 6 to 35 meters, and it is usually found in small groups on sponges or smooth corals.
The stripes and spots on this fish’s colouration make it one of the few species that are easy to spot. It’s only been seen in the Maldives and Sri Lanka. This fish can get as big as 40 mm.
Triplefins belong to the family Tripterygidae. With about 20 to 30 genera and 200 species, this is a large family of fishes that are mostly tropical. They have characteristics of blenny fish, including three distinct dorsal fins.
They’re also called threefins. Sometimes the male shows bright colours before laying eggs, and other times he has a colour that stays the same throughout. Most of the species is only a few centimetres long and lives in cracks in cave walls near algal reefs.
Maldives may have 10 species. Small animals, both benthic and zooplankton, make up the food.
