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| fishes text index | photo index |
| Phylum Chordata > Subphylum Vertebrate > fishes > Family Callionymidae |
| Fingered
dragonet Dactylopus dactylopus Family Callionymidae updated May 11 Where seen? This little curious fish with a flag on its back was seen on Cyrene Reef. Elsewhere, they are considered common on shallow mud-sand flats, especially among seagrasses. They are usually buried during the day. Juveniles usually seen alone, adults may be seen in small groups. Features: To 18cm. A portion of the dorsal fin is large and flag-like, which can be raised like a finger. It is identified by the pelvic fins which are fan-like with the first ray detached from the rest of the fin. Body cylindrical and not very flat, pale with brown saddles which have bright bluish spots. Head broad and flat with a narrow pointed mouth so that the head appears triangular when seen from above. Fins dark, anal fins with bright blue spots. Juveniles have proportionally taller dorsal fins with a prominent yellow edged eye-spot on the first dorsal fin. Sometimes mistaken for flatheads (Family Platycephalidae). Here's more on how to tell apart fish with flat heads. What does it eat? It feeds on molluscs, worms and crustaceans. Human uses: May be eaten locally. |
 Cyrene Reef, May 11 |
 First ray detached from fan-like pelvic fins. |
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Pretty dragonet fish at Cyrene Reef from Loh Kok Sheng on Vimeo. |
Links
References
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Periplus Editions. 292 pp.|
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