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Red Sea dragonet (Callionymus erythraeus) — Callionymidae

Red Sea dragonet

Callionymus erythraeus
Family: Callionymidae

The Red Sea dragonet (Callionymus erythraeus) is a saltwater fish of the family Callionymidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
1.0–10.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Red Sea dragonet is a dragonet (Callionymidae) from coastal water of the Red Sea and western Indian Ocean. The species has a flattened, forward-tapering body with eyes on top of the head and a small mouth; males carry a high, finely 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 Red Sea dragonet?

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

Where does the Red Sea dragonet live?

The Red Sea dragonet lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Red Sea dragonet get?

The Red Sea dragonet grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Red Sea dragonet dangerous to humans?

No, the Red Sea dragonet is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Rode Zee-pitvis sourced
English name
Red Sea dragonet sourced
Scientific name
Callionymus erythraeus
Family
Callionymidae
Other names
Smallhead dragonet verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
1.0 verified
Max depth (m)
10.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Klein van stuk en nauwelijks een hengelsportdoel; wordt vooral incidenteel of als aasvis gevangen. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless 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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