Lobotes pacifica
Lobotes pacifica Gilbert, 1898
Pacific tripletail
Lobotes pacifica
photo by Robertson, R.

Family:  Lobotidae (Tripletails)
Max. size:  100 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthopelagic; brackish; marine; depth range 0 - 50 m
Distribution:  Eastern Pacific: from San Pedro Breakwater, California to Revillagigedo, Baja California, Mexico, to Sea of Cortez, south to Chimbote, Peru.
Diagnosis:  Body deep and moderately compressed, the depth much greater than head length; eyes small; upper jaw scarcely protractile; vomer, palate and tongue toothless; nostrils round and close together; preopercle distinctly serrated; lower branch of first gill arch with 15 gill rakers; in large individuals, the dorsal and anal fins, along with the caudal fin, appear like 3 caudal fins; body olive colored, speckled with dark spots; juveniles yellowish with dark spots (Ref. 55763).
Biology:  Feeds mainly on benthic crustaceans and small fishes (Ref. 9312).
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 25 May 2007 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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