TRIACANTHIDAE Triacanthus biaculeatus, 21.5 cm SL (from Mie Pref., Japan; photo by Seishi Kimura) Triacanthus biaculeatus (Bloch, 1786) Shortnosed Tripodfish D VI + 21-26; A 17-22; P1 12-16. Pelvis not distinctly tapered to a point posteriorly. Doral profile of head from first dorsal-fin spine to above eye slightly convex. Color: dorsal half of body silvery light brown, ventral half silvery white; a large black blotch beneath spiny dorsal-fin base which continues over most spiny dorsal-fin membrane; soft dorsal and anal fins pale; pectoral and caudal fins yellow. Size: maximum length 30 cm. Distribution: widespread in Indo-West Pacific, from Persian Gulf eastward through Bay of Bengal to eastern Australia, northward to southern Japan. Remarks: coastal and estuarine waters, on sandy or muddy flat; feeds on benthic invertebrates.