Home · Callionymidae · Gross's dragonet
Gross's dragonet (Callionymus grossi) — Callionymidae

Gross's dragonet

Callionymus grossi
Family: Callionymidae

The Gross's dragonet (Callionymus grossi) is a saltwater fish of the family Callionymidae that grows up to 20 cm.

Length
20 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
13.0–32.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Oceania: Australia

Want the complete picture on the Gross's dragonet?

Get the app

Description

The Gross's dragonet is a dragonet (Callionymidae) from coastal waters of southern Australia. The species grows to about 20 cm and has a flattened, forward-tapering body with eyes on top of the head; males have a high, often beautifully marked first dorsal fin. As a bottom-dweller it lives on sand and mud bottoms and picks small invertebrates from the sediment. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Gross's dragonet?

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

Where does the Gross's dragonet live?

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

How big does the Gross's dragonet get?

The Gross's dragonet grows to a maximum of about 20 cm.

Is the Gross's dragonet dangerous to humans?

No, the Gross's 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.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Gross's dragonet?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Gross's dragonet is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Gross's dragonet sourced
Scientific name
Callionymus grossi
Family
Callionymidae
Other names
Gross's stinkfish; Gross' dragonet verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
20.0 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)
13.0 verified
Max depth (m)
32.0 verified
Natural range
Oceania: Australia 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
Bottom fishing with natural bait (worm, shrimp or fish) on or just above the seabed. 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 Callionymus

More from the family Callionymidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Gross's dragonet?

Point your camera at the fish and Fin names the species in seconds. Free, and the Gross's dragonet is one of 12,519 species in the app.

Get the app →
Is this the Gross's dragonet? Get the app