Tripletails are common name for the members of the Lobotidae family. They are found in the tropical and subtropical parts of the all oceans. They are mainly marine fishes that inhabit bays, muddy estuaries and lower reaches of large rivers. They are recognized by having rounded lobes on second dorsal and anal fin, giving a 3 tailed appearance. They may be wrongly identified as groupers. However, they lack the usually 3 flat spines on the upper part of groupers opercle.
Tripletails are carnivorous fish feeding on benthic crustaceans and small fish. They are often found floating on its side near the surface along with floating objects.
There is only one genus and 2 species of Lobotidae worldwide. Malaysia has only one species, Lobotes surinamensis. The other species, Lobotes pacificus is only found in the Eastern Pacific.
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Scientific Name: Lobotes surinamensis (Bloch, 1790) English Name: Tripletail, Atlantic Tripletail Mandarin Name | 鱼类中文名: 松鲷 (Sōng diāo), 铁婆 (Tiě pó), 打铁婆 (Dǎtiě pó) Local Malay Name: Kakap Batu, Kuku Laut, Patipok Thai Name | ชื่อสามัญภาษาไทย: ปลากะพงขี้เซา (Plā kaphng k̄hī̂seā), ปลาหม้อแตก (Plā h̄m̂x tæk) Local Hokkien: Thee Po Main Identification Features: Body moderately compressed and deep. Rounded posterior lobes on second dorsal and anal fin, giving a 3 tailed appearance. Third anal-fin spine longer than second anal-fin spine. Body dark brown to olive or mottled yellowish. Size: Maximum total length 100 cm; commonly to 50 cm. Habitat and Ecology: Coastal, estuarine and offshore waters, usually to 70 m depth. Often floats on its side near the surface around floating objects. Juveniles mimic fallen leaves. Feeds on benthic crustaceans and small fishes.   
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