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Fish, Variable Triplefin

Forsterygion varium

Kekegop

Fish

Chordata

Actinopterygii

Tripterygiidae

Rocky Shore Intertidal
Rocky Shore Intertidal
Rocky Reef Subtidal
Rocky Reef Subtidal

Feeding:
Predator
Predator
Distribution:
New Zealand
New Zealand
Edibility:
Inedible
Inedible
Size:
Hand Sized
Hand Sized



As the name suggests the fish has three dorsal fins and has an extremely variable colouration. Most commonly white/cream splotches on an olive background.


Common in the South Island of New Zealand, in rock pools and depths down to 30 metres, also in reef areas of broken rock with kelp.


Feeds on benthic invertebrates.


Females lay up to 4 batches of eggs between May and November. The nests are laid on smooth sloping rock faces and one male may keep guard on up to 9 nests at a time.






A Treasury of New Zealand Fishes: Graham