TRIPPLEFINS - TRIPTERYGIIDAE Although there are around 150 different species of Tripplefins, not much is known about many of them. They are small and often transparent fish that are mostly overlooked by divers. It is the only fish family that has three dorsal fins, which of course made it easy to give them their family name. Triplefins are mainly found in tropical and temperate waters where they sit on dead or alive corals or sponges. They feed on benthic invertebrates. Length: 5,5 cm. Distribution: from the Andaman Sea to SW- Japan, French Polynesia and Australia. Translucent body with 10 to 12 vertical bars made out of very small spots. Quite a pointy snout, lower jaw longer than upper lip. Two yellow spots on tail fin, two red marks on snout. On top of coral heads, in lagoons and on outer reefs to -40 m. Length: 5 cm. Distribution: from the Andaman Sea to S- Japan, Kiribati Is. and Great Barrier Reef. Red upper body with three white-blue horizontal lines on each side. White lower body and bright yellow iris. Solitary or in small groups on rocks, corals, sponges and tunicates. In lagoons and coastal reefs, from -6 to -30 m. Feeds on passing zooplankton. Length: 4 cm. Distribution: from W- Thailand to Philippines, Indonesia, Solomon Is. and Tonga. Translucent body with reddish speckles which often form vertical bands. Males with extended nose, display black lower body and bright blue stripe below eyes towards females. Lives in small groups, at clear coastal areas with algae covered rocks and boulders. From 0 to -5 m.Length: 3,5 cm. Distribution: E- Indonesia to Papua New Guinea, NE- Queensland and Vanuatu. Grey-greenish translucent body, large white area at pectoral fin base, mid-body and tail base. White tall first dorsal fin. Often with margin on scales. Lives solitary on outer reef slopes, from -8 to -37 m.