The Short-tail Tripodfish, is a marine fish from the Indo-West Pacific, inhabiting sandy and muddy flats in coastal waters, belonging to the Triacanthidae family (Triplespines), characterized by its silvery, rhombus-shaped body with tiny, almost invisible scales; named for its three defensive spines, living in sandy/muddy coastal areas and feeding on benthic invertebrates.

Does not grow to big table size but reaching up to 20 cm (8 inches) in length only, those caught are usually smaller.

It is fairly common at all coastal market in Seberang Perai, although not a valuable or common fish for consumption, it is eaten by the Chinese Teochew community, and consumed steamed with fermented soya beans and ginger, after the leathery skin is peeled of by the fishmonger.