Home · Callionymidae · Masuda's dragonet
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
Range
Asia: Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Japan
Edibility
Commonly eaten

Want the complete picture on the Masuda's dragonet?

Get the app

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. Asia: Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Japan

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. 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 Masuda's dragonet edible?

Yes, the Masuda's dragonet is commonly eaten.

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Masuda's dragonet?

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

Get the app →

All data

Identification

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
Natural range
Asia: Taiwan/Ch Taipei, Japan 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 Foetorepus

More from the family Callionymidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Masuda's dragonet?

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

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