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Highfin dragonet (Synchiropus altivelis) — Callionymidae

Highfin dragonet

Synchiropus altivelis
Family: Callionymidae

The Highfin dragonet (Synchiropus altivelis) is a brackish-water fish of the family Callionymidae that grows up to 17 cm.

Length
17 cm
Water
Brackish
Depth
70.0–600.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Australia, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Indonesia, Japan, Korea (South) and others
Edibility
Commonly eaten

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Description

The Highfin dragonet is a dragonet (Callionymidae) from coastal water of the northwest Pacific, off East Asia. The species grows to about 17 cm and has a flattened, forward-tapering body with eyes on top of the head and a small mouth; males carry a high, finely 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 Highfin dragonet?

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

Where does the Highfin dragonet live?

The Highfin dragonet lives in brackish water and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: Australia, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Indonesia, Japan, Korea (South) and others

How big does the Highfin dragonet get?

The Highfin dragonet grows to a maximum of about 17 cm.

Is the Highfin dragonet dangerous to humans?

No, the Highfin 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.

Is the Highfin dragonet edible?

Yes, the Highfin dragonet is commonly eaten.

More photos

Highfin dragonet (Synchiropus altivelis) — Callionymidae — 2
Williams, Jeffrey T. (CC0 1.0) via GBIF — USNM
Highfin dragonet (Synchiropus altivelis) — Callionymidae — 3
Naturalis Biodiversity Center (CC0 1.0) via GBIF
Highfin dragonet (Synchiropus altivelis) — Callionymidae — 4
Wikimedia Commons — Totti (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Highfin dragonet (Synchiropus altivelis) — Callionymidae — 5
Wikimedia Commons — Temminck and Schlegel (Public domain) [illustratie]
Fin

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All data

Identification

English name
Highfin dragonet sourced
Scientific name
Synchiropus altivelis
Family
Callionymidae
Other names
Dragonet; Highfin bigeye dragonet; Red dragonet verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
17.0 verified
Body shape
Torpedo-shaped sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Spots sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Brackish sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
70.0 verified
Max depth (m)
600.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Australia, China, Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Indonesia, Japan, Korea (South) and others 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

Edibility
Commonly eaten inferred
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 Synchiropus

More from the family Callionymidae

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