Enneapterygius atrogulare

Female mottled brown, without any distinctive marks, though rear half of body often slightly more yellow and a pale curved line beneath eye. Males and females have narrow darkish band on tail base, but not always obvious. During spawning season, male is reddish with black head and female is brighter ('sparkly') when spawning.

Common on mainland in shallow water but not found at offshore locations such as Lord Howe and Norfolk islands.

Similar E. rufopileus (Blackcheek Threefin) has comparatively shorter 1st dorsal fin (50% height of 2nd dorsal fin in females, 75% height in males) and is restricted to offshore locations (not found on the mainland). NB: maps and database to be updated to reflect these geographic distributions.

Males of other Enneapterygius threefins can have black heads; e.g. E. larsonae (Blackhead Threefin) and E. similis (Masked Threefin).