Yellow-and-black triplefin
Encyclopedia
The yellow-and-black triplefin, Forsterygion flavonigrum, a triplefin of the genus Forsterygion
, is found around the north of the North Island of New Zealand
at depths of between 15 and 30 m, in reef
areas of broken rock. Its length is between 4 to 7 cm.
Its non-breeding colouration is a pale pinkish head with a yellowish body and tail, with a black mask across the eyes which continues in a stripe down the centre of the body gradually changing to a darker yellow.
The breeding colouration is spectacular - the head and tail become black, while the rest of the body becomes bright yellow. Yellow-and-black triplefins guard their nest. After spawning the non-breeding colours rapidly return.
Forsterygion
Forsterygion is a genus of triplefins in the family Tripterygiidae.-Species:* Chatham deepwater triplefin, Forsterygion bathytaton Hardy, 1989* Yellow-and-black triplefin, Forsterygion flavonigrum Fricke & Roberts, 1994...
, is found around the north of the North Island of New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
at depths of between 15 and 30 m, in reef
Reef
In nautical terminology, a reef is a rock, sandbar, or other feature lying beneath the surface of the water ....
areas of broken rock. Its length is between 4 to 7 cm.
Its non-breeding colouration is a pale pinkish head with a yellowish body and tail, with a black mask across the eyes which continues in a stripe down the centre of the body gradually changing to a darker yellow.
The breeding colouration is spectacular - the head and tail become black, while the rest of the body becomes bright yellow. Yellow-and-black triplefins guard their nest. After spawning the non-breeding colours rapidly return.