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Common seamoth (Eurypegasus draconis) — Pegasidae

Common seamoth

Eurypegasus draconis
Family: Pegasidae
LC · Least Concern

The Common seamoth (Eurypegasus draconis) is a brackish-water fish of the family Pegasidae that grows up to 10 cm.

Length
10 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
3.0–91.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Body shape
Irregular
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The little dragonfish is a seamoth (Pegasidae) from the Indo-West Pacific. The species is small and has a body armoured with bony plates, large, wing-like spread pectoral fins and a long, movable snout. It inhabits lagoons and sand or silt bottoms, often among algae or seagrass, and 'walks' over the bottom with its pelvic fins. With its tube-shaped snout it sucks up small bottom invertebrates. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Common seamoth?

The Common seamoth has an irregular in shape body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern.

Where does the Common seamoth live?

The Common seamoth lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Common seamoth get?

The Common seamoth grows to a maximum of about 10 cm.

Is the Common seamoth dangerous to humans?

No, the Common seamoth is harmless to humans.

Is the Common seamoth edible?

The Common seamoth is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Korte zeemot sourced
English name
Common seamoth verified
Scientific name
Eurypegasus draconis
Family
Pegasidae
Other names
Dragonfish; Dwarf seamoth; Little dragonfish; Seamoth verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
10.0 verified
Body shape
Irregular sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Marbled inferred
Tail shape
Straight inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thin inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
One continuous inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

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

Behaviour & biology

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

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

More from the family Pegasidae

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