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Indian ornate dragonet (Synchiropus lineolatus) — Callionymidae

Indian ornate dragonet

Synchiropus lineolatus
Family: Callionymidae
NE · Not Evaluated

The Indian ornate dragonet (Synchiropus lineolatus) is a saltwater fish of the family Callionymidae that grows up to 5 cm.

Length
5.3 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
15.0–27.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Activity
Diurnal
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Western Indian Ocean
Edibility
Not eaten

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Description

The Indian ornate dragonet is a small, colourful dragonet from the western Indian Ocean, including the Red Sea. The species grows to about 5 cm and has a flattened body with a flat head, high-set eyes and a finely mottled, handsomely marked colour pattern. On the gill cover it bears a strong spine. As a bottom-dweller it lives on sand and rubble bottoms of shallow reef and searches for small crustaceans and worms. The fish is harmless to humans. The IUCN has not evaluated the species.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Indian ornate dragonet?

The Indian ornate dragonet has an elongate, eel-like body, is mainly brown and shows a marbled pattern. Flat head with high-set eyes and an opercular spine; beautifully marked dragonet

Where does the Indian ornate dragonet live?

The Indian ornate dragonet lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Western Indian Ocean

How big does the Indian ornate dragonet get?

The Indian ornate dragonet grows to a maximum of about 5 cm.

Is the Indian ornate dragonet dangerous to humans?

No, the Indian ornate 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 Indian ornate dragonet edible?

The Indian ornate dragonet is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

English name
Indian ornate dragonet verified
Scientific name
Synchiropus lineolatus
Family
Callionymidae

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
5.3 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Brown sourced
Pattern
Marbled sourced
Tail shape
Forked inferred
Mouth position
Terminal sourced
Lips
Thin sourced
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate sourced
Dorsal spines
No sourced

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
15.0 verified
Max depth (m)
27.0 verified
Natural range
Western Indian Ocean verified
Origin
Native verified

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Diet (detail)
Small crustaceans and worms inferred
Social behaviour
Solitary sourced
Territorial
No sourced
Activity
Diurnal sourced
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
No sourced
Seasonality
Bottom-dwelling ornate dragonet; present year-round. sourced
Special features
Flat head with high-set eyes and an opercular spine; beautifully marked dragonet sourced

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Not a target species for angling; at most an incidental catch or usable as baitfish. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced
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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