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Moreton Bay dragonet (Callionymus moretonensis) — Callionymidae

Moreton Bay dragonet

Callionymus moretonensis
Family: Callionymidae

The Moreton Bay dragonet (Callionymus moretonensis) is a saltwater fish of the family Callionymidae that grows up to 12 cm.

Length
12 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
124.0–132.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Moreton Bay dragonet is a dragonet (Callionymidae) from coastal waters of eastern Australia. The species grows to about 12 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 Moreton Bay dragonet?

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

Where does the Moreton Bay dragonet live?

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

How big does the Moreton Bay dragonet get?

The Moreton Bay dragonet grows to a maximum of about 12 cm.

Is the Moreton Bay dragonet dangerous to humans?

No, the Moreton Bay dragonet is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Moreton-pitvis sourced
English name
Moreton Bay dragonet sourced
Scientific name
Callionymus moretonensis
Family
Callionymidae
Other names
Ocellate dragonet; Ocellated dragonet; Queensland stinkfish verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
12.0 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
Min depth (m)
124.0 verified
Max depth (m)
132.0 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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