About Notoclinops yaldwyni Hardy, 1987
Yaldwyn's triplefin (scientific name Notoclinops yaldwyni) is a fish species belonging to the genus Notoclinops. It is found around the North Island of New Zealand, ranging from low tide down to depths of roughly 5 metres. It is most frequently encountered in reef areas made up of broken rock, but it is not common anywhere in its range. Adults of this species reach between 4 and 8 centimetres in total length. Its base body coloration is pale yellow-brown, with a faint orange tint on the head, and two or three rows of small black dots running along its flanks. Breeding males develop distinct coloration: dark orange on the head and front portion of the body, and yellow on the remaining sections of the body. Both the species' common name and specific epithet honor John C. Yaldwyn (1929-2005), a marine biologist who served as Director of the National Museum of New Zealand. Yaldwyn's name had already been linked to this blenny species since 1972 when the species was formally described in 1987.
