Helcogramma striatum

Hansen, 1986

Striped Triplefin

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Southern Japan south to the Philippines, south to Australia and the Solomon Islands.

Size: 2 inches (4 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits coastal reefs with moderate currents and usually found at depths between 3 – 30 feet (1 – 10 m) where it feeds on benthic invertebrate/zooplankton.

General Husbandry: Rarely seen in the trade and usually having an orange-brown body with several lengthwise white lines.

As with all in this genus, should they show up in the trade, they can be maintained in fish-only or reef aquariums having rocky areas with caves/crevices to hide/rest in when needing to do so, and very peaceful tankmates

Requires a meaty diet, including fortified brine shrimp, mysis, and other meaty type marine fresh or frozen foods, which should be finely chopped and dispensed upstream so the water current brings the food to within the area it inhabits. Needs two feedings per day.

If difficult to get feeding in the beginning, try some live foods, such as adult fortified brine shrimp.

Taxonomy:

Order: Perciformes

Suborder: Blennioidei

Family: Tripteryglidae

Genus: Helcogramma

FYI: One per aquarium.

Ideal nano aquarium species.

Experience Level: Beginner

Temperament: Peaceful

Diet: Carnivore

Coral Safe: Yes

Fish Safe: Yes

Invertebrate Safe: Yes

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Tankmates: Peaceful

Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons

Temperature Range: 72 - 82°F (22 – 27°C)

Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5