Author: Cadenat and Blache, 1971
Tripterygion delaisi Cadenat and Blache, 1971
Status in World Register of Marine Species:
Accepted name: Tripterygion delaisi Cadenat and Blache, 1970 (updated 2009-06-25)
Diagnosis. dorsal finrays III + XVI-XVIII + 11-14; anal finrays 11 + 24-28. Colour: females and non-territorial males bright grey with 5 broad, dark, vertical bars, the last forming a characteristic spot on tail. Territorial males with black heads, yellow bodies and prolonged rays in second dorsal fin. Size: to 89 mm, usually 60-70 mm.
Habitat: bottom-living on rocky shores, usually from 3 to 40 m, preferably between 6 and 12 m under overhanging rocks, entrances of caves and other biotopes with reduced light; in Atlantic also in shallow, lightexposed biotopes. Behaviour. males court by figure-8-swimming. Homing ability after released 200 m away from territories. Food: benthic invertebrates, also harpaticoids. Reproduction. May-July (northern Mediterranean). Eggs are laid by several females on substrate in males' territory, often on sponges; male guards the eggs.
Distribution: Mediterranean, Atlantic coast from southern England to Senegal, Madeira and Canaries.
Eggs, larvae and young stages. No data.
Otoliths (sagitta). No data.
Subspecies
Tripterygion delaisi delaisi: habitat niche wide, figure-8-swimming upwards into the water. Atlantic.
Tripterygion delaisi xanthosoma: habitat niche narrow, figure-8-swimming only on the bottom. Mediterranean.