Blacktail threefin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Blacktail threefin |
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The blacktail triplefin (scientific name: Enneapterygius bahasa) is a small fish that lives in the ocean. In Australia, it's also called the blacktail threefin. This fish belongs to a group called threefin blennys.
A German scientist named Ronald Fricke first described this fish in 1997. It gets its common name, "blacktail," because its tail fins are black. You can find these fish living around reefs in the western part of the Pacific Ocean.
What's in a Name?
Ronald Fricke named the blacktail triplefin bahasa in 1997. He chose this name because "Bahasa" is a common way to refer to the official Indonesian language.
The first blacktail triplefin he studied was a male fish found in Queensland, Australia. He also looked at many other fish specimens to help describe the species.
What Does it Look Like?
Male blacktail triplefins are quite small, growing up to about 3.2 centimetres (1.3 in) long. That's about the length of your thumb!
These blennies are mostly reddish in color. They have white spots on their bodies and white streaks around their eyes. The males have blackish faces and tails, which is how they got their name. Female blacktail triplefins look a bit different. They usually have wider bodies, shorter snouts, and taller fins than the males.
Where Does it Live?
The blacktail triplefin is a tropical fish. This means it lives in warm waters. You can find it mainly on the flat parts and tops of reefs in the western Pacific Ocean.
These fish swim at depths from the surface down to about 18 metres (59 ft). They have been seen in many places, including Japan, Taiwan, Indonesia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Guam, Palau, and Australia.
See also
In Spanish: Enneapterygius bahasa para niños
