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Masuda's dragonet (Foetorepus masudai) — Callionymidae

Masuda's dragonet

Foetorepus masudai
Family: Callionymidae

The Masuda's dragonet (Foetorepus masudai) is a saltwater fish of the family Callionymidae that grows up to 18 cm.

Length
18 cm
Water
Saltwater
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Description

The Masuda's dragonet is a deepwater dragonet (Callionymidae) of the continental slope in the deep northwest Pacific. The species grows to about 15 cm and has a flattened, scaleless, reddish body with a triangular head, high-set eyes and a small, protrusible mouth; the male carries a high first dorsal fin. As a bottom-dweller of deeper water it creeps over sand and mud and picks small crustaceans, worms and fish eggs. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Masuda's dragonet?

The Masuda's dragonet has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Masuda's dragonet live?

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

How big does the Masuda's dragonet get?

The Masuda's dragonet grows to a maximum of about 18 cm.

Is the Masuda's dragonet dangerous to humans?

No, the Masuda's dragonet is harmless to humans.

Is the Masuda's dragonet edible?

Yes, the Masuda's dragonet is commonly eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Masudas diepwaterpitvis sourced
English name
Masuda's dragonet sourced
Scientific name
Foetorepus masudai
Family
Callionymidae

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
18.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Tail shape
Rounded inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. 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 Foetorepus

More from the family Callionymidae

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