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Bluespotted dragonet (Callionymus pleurostictus) — Callionymidae

Bluespotted dragonet

Callionymus pleurostictus
Family: Callionymidae

The Bluespotted dragonet (Callionymus pleurostictus) is a saltwater fish of the family Callionymidae that grows up to 2 cm.

Length
2.3 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–42.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Australia, Solomon Is., Brunei Darsm, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, Indonesia and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Bluespotted dragonet is a dragonet (Callionymidae) from coastal waters of the western Pacific. The species grows to about 2.3 cm and has a flattened, forward-tapering body with eyes on top of the head; males have a high, often beautifully marked first dorsal fin. As a bottom-dweller it lives on sand and mud bottoms and picks small invertebrates from the sediment. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Bluespotted dragonet?

The Bluespotted dragonet has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Bluespotted dragonet live?

The Bluespotted dragonet lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: Australia, Solomon Is., Brunei Darsm, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, Indonesia and others

How big does the Bluespotted dragonet get?

The Bluespotted dragonet grows to a maximum of about 2 cm.

Is the Bluespotted dragonet dangerous to humans?

No, the Bluespotted dragonet is harmless to humans. This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status.

Is the Bluespotted dragonet edible?

Yes, the Bluespotted dragonet is commonly eaten.

More photos

Bluespotted dragonet (Callionymus pleurostictus) — Callionymidae — 2
J.E. Randall (CC BY-NC 4.0) via GBIF
Bluespotted dragonet (Callionymus pleurostictus) — Callionymidae — 3
iNaturalist ((c) terence zahner, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bluespotted dragonet (Callionymus pleurostictus) — Callionymidae — 4
iNaturalist ((c) barthazes, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
Bluespotted dragonet (Callionymus pleurostictus) — Callionymidae — 5
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Bluespotted dragonet sourced
Scientific name
Callionymus pleurostictus
Family
Callionymidae
Other names
Sidespotted dragonet; Spotted dragonet; Blue-spotted ruddertail dragonet verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
2.3 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
42.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Australia, Solomon Is., Brunei Darsm, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Hong Kong, Indonesia and others sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Diet (detail)
Small fishes, crustaceans and invertebrates inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred
Seasonality
Present year-round in its habitat; no pronounced seasonality known. inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified
First aid
This species is harmless to humans. No specific first aid is needed. Still handle the fish with care: mind the fin rays and the sharp edges of the gill cover, and rinse any scratch with clean water and cover it. For a dirty or deep wound check tetanus status. verified

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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