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Fingered dragonet (Dactylopus kuiteri) — Callionymidae

Fingered dragonet

Dactylopus kuiteri
Family: Callionymidae

The Fingered dragonet (Dactylopus kuiteri) is a saltwater fish of the family Callionymidae that grows up to 15 cm.

Length
15 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
3.0–15.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines

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Description

Kuiter's dragonet is a dragonet (Callionymidae) from coastal waters of the western Pacific. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a flattened, forward-tapering, brown-mottled body with eyes on top of the head and a high first dorsal fin; notable are the free, finger-like first pelvic rays on which it 'walks' over the sandy bottom. As a bottom-dweller it picks small invertebrates from the sediment. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Fingered dragonet?

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

Where does the Fingered dragonet live?

The Fingered dragonet lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines

How big does the Fingered dragonet get?

The Fingered dragonet grows to a maximum of about 15 cm.

Is the Fingered dragonet dangerous to humans?

No, the Fingered 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

Fingered dragonet (Dactylopus kuiteri) — Callionymidae — 2
Wikimedia Commons — Diego Delso (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Fingered dragonet (Dactylopus kuiteri) — Callionymidae — 3
Wikimedia Commons — Diego Delso (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Fingered dragonet (Dactylopus kuiteri) — Callionymidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Diego Delso (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Fingered dragonet (Dactylopus kuiteri) — Callionymidae — 5
iNaturalist ((c) Sue Churchill, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC))
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All data

Identification

English name
Fingered dragonet sourced
Scientific name
Dactylopus kuiteri
Family
Callionymidae
Other names
Orange-black dragonet; Kuiter's dragonet verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
15.0 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)
3.0 verified
Max depth (m)
15.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines 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 Dactylopus

More from the family Callionymidae

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