So far ten species of Triplefins have been recorded in the kororā diet, representing six genera. It is important to note that kororā are not bottom feeders and these fish are most likely to be taken as youngsters in mid-water before they move to the sea floor as adults. Triplefins are the most abundant and most frequently encountered fishes in NZ intertidal and subtidal regions with about 20 species occurring commonly. They are largely confined to shallow coastal waters of less than 30m deep.
All illustrations sourced from Roberts et al. 2015Giant triplefin: Blennodon dorsalis, is endemic and widespread on from the west coast reefs from Northland to West Coast and on the east coast from Tauranga to Otago and the Chatham Islands. It grows to 17cm and as adults live at depth of 0-10m.
Yellowback triplefin: Forsterygion flavonigrum, is endemic and can be found throughout coastal New Zealand. It grows to 5cm and lives at depths of 0-110m but more commonly below 10m.
Estuarine triplefin: Forsterygion nigripenne, is endemic and widespread from Northland to Stewart Island. It grows to 9cm and lives at depth of 0-24m.
Yellowtail triplefin: Matanui profundum, is endemic and occurs in coastal waters, ranging from off Northland south to Sewart Island. It can grow to 9cm and lives at depths of 20-500m.
Spectacled triplefin: Ruanoho whero, is endemic and widespread from the Three Kings Islands to Snares Island. It grows to 10cm and occurs at depths of 0-34m.
Common triplefin: Forsterygion lapillum, is endemic and the most abundant and widespread species around North, South and Stewart Islands. It grows to 8cm and can be found in depths of 0 – 30m.
Oblique swimming triplefin: Forsterygion maryannae, is endemic and can be found from the Three Kings Islands to Snares Island. It grows to 7cm and lives at depth of 0-50m.
Brown topknot: Notoclinus compressus is endemic and widespread around New Zealand’s coastal waters from Northland to Stewart Island. It grows to 12 cm and lives at depth of 0-20m.
Giant triplefin: Blennodon dorsalis, is endemic and widespread on from the west coast reefs from Northland to West Coast and on the east coast from Tauranga to Otago and the Chatham Islands. It grows to 17cm and as adults live at depth of 0-10m.
Scalyhead triplefin: Karalepis stewartia is endemic and can be found from the Three Kings Islands to Snares Island. It grows to 13cm and lives at depth of 0-34m.
Topknot: Notoclinus fenestratus, is endemic and widespread from Northland to Snares Islands. It grows to 19cm and occurs at depths of 0-73m.
