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Pygmy dragonet (Diplogrammus pygmaeus) — Callionymidae

Pygmy dragonet

Diplogrammus pygmaeus
Family: Callionymidae

The Pygmy dragonet (Diplogrammus pygmaeus) is a saltwater fish of the family Callionymidae that grows up to 4 cm.

Length
3.7 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
14.0–17.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The Pygmy dragonet is a dragonet (Callionymidae) from shallow sand and reef water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 6 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 Pygmy dragonet?

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

Where does the Pygmy dragonet live?

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

How big does the Pygmy dragonet get?

The Pygmy dragonet grows to a maximum of about 4 cm.

Is the Pygmy dragonet dangerous to humans?

No, the Pygmy dragonet is harmless to humans.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Dwerg-pitvis sourced
English name
Pygmy dragonet sourced
Scientific name
Diplogrammus pygmaeus
Family
Callionymidae
Other names
Pygmy dragonet verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
3.7 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)
14.0 verified
Max depth (m)
17.0 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 Diplogrammus

More from the family Callionymidae

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