Rock Pool Fish

The twister (Bellapiscis medius) is a triplefin that is specialised to life in the high intertidal and in rockpools, and is the most tolerant to low oxygen and high temperatures. Photograph © Paul Caiger

The common triplefin (Forsterygion lapillum) is another triplefin that is specialised to life in the high intertidal. Photograph © Paul Caiger

There are 26 species of triplefin in New Zealand, and their diversity and evolution from a single ancestral fish make them our underwater equivalent of Darwin’s finches in the Galapagos Islands. The common triplefin (Forsterygion lapillum). Photograph © Paul Caiger

The mottled triplefin (Forsterygion malcolmi) is a subtidal species usually found between 5-20 metres deep. It is named after fish biologist Malcolm Francis. Its 'eyebrows' are actually orbital cirri and males use them to attract females. Photograph © Paul Caiger

A female estuarine triplefin. Estuarine triplefins (Forsterygion nigripenne), as their name suggests, can be found in estuaries and the lower reaches of tidal rivers. Photograph © Paul Caiger

A male estuarine triplefin. Photograph © Paul Caiger

A male and female striped triplefin (Forsterygion varium) guarding a nest of eggs. Photograph © Paul Caiger

The striped triplefin (Forsterygion varium) is found subtidally, at depths of about 5-20 metres. They also have an incredible navigational ability; some variable triplefins that were displaced more than 700 m from their territories in the Leigh Marine Reserve found their way back home – an extraordinary feat for such a small fish. Photograph © Paul Caiger