Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Actinopterygii

Order: Tetraodontiformes

Family: Triacanthidae

Genus: Triacanthus

Species: T. biaculeatus

Physical Description

Triacanthus biaculeatus, also known as the Short-nosed tripod fish, is a species of marine fish in the family Triacanthidae. It is native to the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean Triacanthus biaculeatus has a relatively flat silver coloured body with Spiny dorsal fin. The fin membrane  is very dark between first and third spines, and usually equally dark between third and fifth spines. Another set of spiny fins are present at the dorsal side. It has a bungee eyes and a slightly protruding mouth. Outline of head from base of first dorsal fin spine to above eye an even slightly convex curve or almost a straight line. Its caudal fin is yellow.  As the fish looks like a helicopter, it is locally known as the Helicopter fish in West Bengal.

Habitat and Distribution

Triacanthus biaculeatus inhabits in sandy or muddy flat in coastal and estuarine waters. It mainly feeds on benthic invertebrates. Sold fresh in markets. Used in Chinese medicine. Indo-West Pacific: Persian Gulf eastward through Bay of Bengal to eastern Australia, northward to southern Japan and China.

Reference:

http://www.eol.org/pages/204010/overview

http://www.fishbase.se/summary/Triacanthus-biaculeatus