Blue Eyed Triplefin - Notoclinops segmentatus

The Blue Eyed Triplefin is commonly found around the North Island of New Zealand from depths of one metre to about 30m. They are most common in rocky terrain. Its length is between 3 and 6 cm and it is easily distinguished from other small fish by its iridescent blue eyes which give it its name. In the breeding season in winter the orange on the males becomes brighter on the head, tail and anal fin. The rest of the body becomes dark. The blue-eyed triplefin's diet includes small crustaceans and it has been known to remove parasites from larger fish.