New Caledonia Triplefin

Description: Dorsal fin III + XIII-XV + 9-12 (usually 11); anal fin I, 18-22; pectoral rays 15-17; pelvic fin I, 2. Mandibular pores 4-5 + 1 + 4-5. Overall translucent grey with oblique bars, six, dark reddish brown, H-shaped, upper part spotty; head also with red spots; females paler than males. Lacks orbital tentacle. Scaleless head, nape, and narrow portion below spinous dorsal fins. LL continuous, pored scales 18-29 (Ref. 90102).

Dorsal spines (total): 16 - 18; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9 - 12; Analspines: 1; Analsoft rays: 18 - 22

Found in outer slopes and reef flats (Ref. 90102).

Adults are found in outer slopes and reef flats (Ref. 90102). 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). Minimum depth of 1.5 m reported from Ref. 90102.

fisheries: of no interest

Helcogramma novaecaledoniae, known commonly as the New Caledonian triplefin, is a species of triplefin blenny in the genus Helcogramma. It was described by Ronald Fricke in 1994. This species is found in the western Pacific Ocean where it has been recorded from New Caledonia, the Loyalty Islands and Guadalcanal.