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Taiwan dragonet (Callionymus formosanus) — Callionymidae

Taiwan dragonet

Callionymus formosanus
Family: Callionymidae

The Taiwan dragonet (Callionymus formosanus) is a saltwater fish of the family Callionymidae that grows up to 17 cm.

Length
17 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0–88.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Taiwan dragonet is a dragonet (Callionymidae) from shallow sand and reef water of the northwest Pacific around Taiwan. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a flattened, scaleless body with a triangular head, high-set eyes and a small, protrusible mouth; males often carry a high, ornate first dorsal fin. As a bottom-dweller it creeps over sand and rubble and picks small crustaceans, worms and fish eggs. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Taiwan dragonet?

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

Where does the Taiwan dragonet live?

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

How big does the Taiwan dragonet get?

The Taiwan dragonet grows to a maximum of about 17 cm.

Is the Taiwan dragonet dangerous to humans?

No, the Taiwan dragonet is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Taiwanese pitvis sourced
English name
Taiwan dragonet sourced
Scientific name
Callionymus formosanus
Family
Callionymidae
Other names
Taiwanese deepwater dragonet sourced

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
17.0 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
Max depth (m)
88.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

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

For anglers

Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. 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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