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Circled dragonet (Synchiropus circularis) — Callionymidae

Circled dragonet

Synchiropus circularis
Family: Callionymidae

The Circled dragonet (Synchiropus circularis) is a saltwater fish of the family Callionymidae that grows up to 2 cm.

Length
2.3 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
2.0–35.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Guam, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Caledonia, North. Marianas, Papua New Guinea and others

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Description

The Circled dragonet is a dragonet (Callionymidae) from shallow sand and reef water of the western Pacific. The species grows to about 8 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 Circled dragonet?

The Circled dragonet has a torpedo-shaped body, is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Circled dragonet live?

The Circled dragonet lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Oceania: Guam, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Caledonia, North. Marianas, Papua New Guinea and others

How big does the Circled dragonet get?

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

Is the Circled dragonet dangerous to humans?

No, the Circled 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.

More photos

Circled dragonet (Synchiropus circularis) — Callionymidae — 2
Randall, John E. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Circled dragonet sourced
Scientific name
Synchiropus circularis
Family
Callionymidae
Other names
Circular dragonet verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
2.3 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped 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)
2.0 verified
Max depth (m)
35.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Guam, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Caledonia, North. Marianas, Papua New Guinea 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

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 Synchiropus

More from the family Callionymidae

Fin

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