Norfolkia squamiceps (McCulloch & Waite, 1916)
Scalyhead Triplefin
Norfolkia squamiceps
photo by Randall, J.E.

Family:  Tripterygiidae (Triplefin blennies), subfamily: Tripterygiinae
Max. size:  6.6 cm SL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  reef-associated; marine; depth range 0 - 12 m
Distribution:  Southwest Pacific: Australia, including Lord Howe Island, Norfolk Island, Middleton Reef, and Elizabeth Reef; and New Caledonia.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 18-19; Dorsal soft rays (total): 10-11; Anal spines: 2-2; Anal soft rays: 20-21. Head to eye and preopercle with scales; small and palmate supraorbital tentacle; light gray or light brown body with 2 linear series of uneven brown blotches with larger dorsal series and some upper blotches joining with lower; below eye is an oblique, dark brown bar with white margin; remainder of head dark brown, blending to white ventrally; females with oblique dark bands on second and third dorsal fins, darkening as they cross rays; uneven, vertical dark bars on caudal fin; yellow or orange dorsal and caudal fins in males. Dorsal rays IV + XIV-XV (typically XV) + 10-11 (typically 11); lateral line discontinuous, 21-24 + 14-19; mandibular pores 5-6 + 1 + 5-6 (Ref. 54980).
Biology:  Adults are found in intertidal pools in coral reef areas (Ref. 13227). 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).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 06 May 2010 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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