Triacanthus biaculeatus (Bloch, 1786)
Short-nosed tripodfish
photo by Iranian Fisheries Research Organization (IFRO)

Family:  Triacanthidae (Triplespines)
Max. size:  30 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; brackish; marine; depth range 0 - 60 m
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and Japan (north to central Honshu), China, South China Sea including Gulf of Thailand, Indonesia, northern Australia.
Diagnosis:  Spiny dorsal-fin membrane very dark between first and third spines, and usually equally dark between third and fifth spines. Outline of head from base of first dorsal-fin spine to above eye an even slightly convex curve or almost a straight line (Ref 9804).
Biology:  Inhabits sandy or muddy flat in coastal and estuarine waters. Feeds on benthic invertebrates. Sold fresh in markets. Used in Chinese medicine (Ref. 12166). Minimum depth range from Ref. 121772.
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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