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Australian darter dragonet (Callionymus macdonaldi) — Callionymidae

Australian darter dragonet

Callionymus macdonaldi
Family: Callionymidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Australian darter dragonet (Callionymus macdonaldi) is a saltwater fish of the family Callionymidae that grows up to 6 cm.

Length
6 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
0.0–91.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The Australian darter dragonet is a small dragonet from the waters around southern Australia. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a flattened body with a flat head, high-set eyes and a spotted camouflage. On the gill cover it bears a strong spine. As a bottom-dweller it lives on sand and rubble bottoms of shallow coastal water to about 90 metres and moves forward in short darts in search of small crustaceans and worms. The fish is harmless to humans. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Australian darter dragonet?

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

Where does the Australian darter dragonet live?

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

How big does the Australian darter dragonet get?

The Australian darter dragonet grows to a maximum of about 6 cm.

Is the Australian darter dragonet dangerous to humans?

No, the Australian darter dragonet is harmless to humans.

Is the Australian darter dragonet edible?

The Australian darter dragonet is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Australische darter-pitvis verified
English name
Australian darter dragonet verified
Scientific name
Callionymus macdonaldi
Family
Callionymidae
Other names
Greyspotted dragonet; Grey-spotted dragonet verified

Appearance

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

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
0.0 verified
Max depth (m)
91.0 verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless 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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