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| fishes text index | photo index |
| Phylum Chordata > Subphylum Vertebrate > fishes > Family Callionymidae |
| Schaap's
dragonet Callionymus schaapii Family Callionymidae updated Jun 08 Where seen? This little fish with a permanent pout is often seen on Changi, on sandy areas near seagrasses. Well camouflaged on the sand, it is hard to spot. It is more active at night. Features: To about 10cm, those seen about 5cm. Body somewhat flattened. Head broad and flat with a narrow pointed mouth so that the head appears triangular when seen from above. The mouth can stick out downwards forming a tube and the upper jaw can be greatly extended. The eyes are set high on the head. The gill openings are reduced to small pores on the top of the broad head. There is a black patch near the pectoral fin base. It has a pattern of spots that blend well with the sand, usually beige with indistinct dusky spots. But sometimes with colourful blue spots too. It is white on the underside. In the male, the first three spines of the dorsal fin are greatly elongated into filaments. The females lack this. Sometimes mistaken for flatheads (Family Platycephalidae). Here's more on how to tell apart fish with flat heads. |
 Changi, May 08  |
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Schapp's dragonets on Singapore shores
 Buried in the sand. Changi, Apr 07 |
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 Changi, Jul 09 |
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 Changi, Jun 09 |
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 Tanah Merah, Oct 09 |
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