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Baird's dragonet (Callionymus bairdi) — Callionymidae

Baird's dragonet

Callionymus bairdi
Family: Callionymidae
LC · Least Concern

The Baird's dragonet (Callionymus bairdi) is a saltwater fish of the family Callionymidae that grows up to 11 cm.

Length
11.4 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–91.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Atlantic; shallow reefs and seagrass beds.
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

Baird's dragonet is a dragonet (Callionymidae) from the western Atlantic Ocean. The species is small and has a flattened head and a slender body; males have handsomely extended, colourful fins and a spine on the gill cover. It inhabits shallow reefs, including seagrass beds of Thalassia testudinum. On the bottom it picks small invertebrates from the sediment. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Baird's dragonet?

The Baird's dragonet has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern. Male with trailing colourful fins; small bottom fish of seagrass and shallow reefs.

Where does the Baird's dragonet live?

The Baird's dragonet lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around stony or rocky ground. Western Atlantic; shallow reefs and seagrass beds.

How big does the Baird's dragonet get?

The Baird's dragonet grows to a maximum of about 11 cm.

Is the Baird's dragonet dangerous to humans?

No, the Baird's dragonet is harmless to humans. None required: this species is harmless to humans.

Is the Baird's dragonet edible?

The Baird's dragonet is not usually eaten.

More photos

Baird's dragonet (Callionymus bairdi) — Callionymidae — 2
Florida Museum of Natural History Ichthyology (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF — UF
Baird's dragonet (Callionymus bairdi) — Callionymidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) terence zahner, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Baird's dragonet verified
Scientific name
Callionymus bairdi
Family
Callionymidae
Other names
Coral dragonet; Lancer Dragonet; Lancer dragonet; St Helena Dragonet; St. Helena Dragonet verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
11.4 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
91.0 verified
Natural range
Western Atlantic; shallow reefs and seagrass beds. inferred
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small bottom-dwelling invertebrates sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred
Special features
Male with trailing colourful fins; small bottom fish of seagrass and shallow reefs. sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
First aid
None required: this species is harmless to humans. sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

Same genus Callionymus

More from the family Callionymidae

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