New Caledonian Blackhead Surf Triplefin

Small supraorbital tentacle; first dorsal fin shorter by 50% than second dorsal fin; females translucent pale gray to white with red or dark brown double bars on body; an oblique, red to dark brown band from upper lip to eye; a red or dark brown blotch on opercle and pectoral-fin base; transparent median fins with red rays; males red with faint, dark brown bars; chest and lower half of head dark gray with scattered black spots almost as large as pupil. Dorsal rays III + XI-XIV + 7-10; lateral line interrupted, 14-18 + 16-20; mandibular pores 4-5 + 2 + 4-5 (Ref. 54980).

Dorsal spines (total): 14 - 17; Dorsal soft rays (total): 7 - 10; Analspines: 1; Analsoft rays: 17 - 21

Adults are found in shallow waters, surge channels and tidal pools around fringing reefs where wave action is high; some found in the big surf, oxygen-rich habitat (Ref. 27223). 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).

Enneapterygius rhothion, the New Caledonian blackhead surf triplefin or surf triplefin, is a species of triplefin blenny in the genus Enneapterygius. It was described by Ronald Fricke in 1997. This species occurs in New Caledonia and Vanuatu.