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Animalia >Chordata >Osteichthyes >Perciformes >Tripteygiidae >Enneapterygius >

This triplefin blenny is an undescribed species but is very common around Izu Ocean Park. During summer reproductive seasons, we often see males with nuptial black coloration defending nests on the underside of rocks. They are very aggressive and often bite at the groves of divers.
Male-male competitive interactions of this species include lateral displays, where males spread their fins and show their lateral body surface toward each other. Males also raise their tail and move it from side to side. Are they showing off their yellow anal fin, which is characteristic to this species, to each other?
Another triplefin blenny Enneapterygius etheostomus also inhabits this area in high numbers. Their depth range as well as reproductive season overlaps greatly with those of this species. But the two species seem to be partitioning their nesting sites. Enneapterygius etheostomus lays eggs on the upper sides of rocks whereas this species uses undersides of rocks as egg-laying substrata. However, the two species often go through small fights. Although Enneapterygius etheostomus is larger than this species, males of the two species fight equally well.

(Data No.momo050115es01b)

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