Species
Red-eye Threefin
Helcogramma elliotiAlso known as Elliot's Triplefin, Redeye Triplefin
Red-eye threefins are diminutive benthic fish that spend their lives hopping along rock surfaces and coral rubble in shallow coastal waters. Named for the conspicuous reddish ring encircling their large eyes, they blend into algal turf with cryptic, mottled patterning across their elongated bodies. Males fiercely defend tiny patches of exposed substrate during the breeding season, performing short fin-flaring displays to woo passing females.
MarineBenthicReef Dweller
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & preyCopepod, Amphipod, Benthic micro-invertebrate
Predators
- Grouper
- Snapper
- Moray eel
ThreatsCoastal development, sedimentation, pollution runoff, and degradation of intertidal rocky reefs.
HabitatsShallow rocky shores, tide pools, and sheltered nearshore coral reefs down to 10 meters depth.
Life span1–3 years
Classification
- FamilyTripterygiidae
- SpeciesHelcogramma ellioti
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Observation distance: Move slowly and avoid casting sudden shadows over tide pools or reef flats to prevent them darting into rock crevices.
- Field gear: Use a clear underwater viewer or mask and snorkel in calm, clear intertidal shallows to spot their subtle movements.
Image unavailableClose Relative 
Close Relative (c) portioid, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Same Family (c) jeyre, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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