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Ocellated dragonet (Neosynchiropus ocellatus) — Callionymidae

Ocellated dragonet

Neosynchiropus ocellatus
Family: Callionymidae

The Ocellated dragonet (Neosynchiropus ocellatus) is a fish of the family Callionymidae that grows up to 9 cm.

Length
8.9 cm
Diet
Carnivore
Behaviour
Solitary
Substrate
Stone or rock
Danger
Harmless
Edibility
Not eaten

Description

The ocellated dragonet is a dragonet (Callionymidae) from the western Pacific. The species is small and has a flattened head, a spotted, mottled body and, in males, a high dorsal fin with eyespot-like markings, to which the name refers. It inhabits rocky and rubble-covered reef bottoms, where it 'scoots' over the bottom with its pectoral fins. On the bottom it snaps at small invertebrates. The species is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Ocellated dragonet?

The Ocellated dragonet is mainly brown and shows a spots pattern.

Where does the Ocellated dragonet live?

The Ocellated dragonet is mostly found around stony or rocky ground.

How big does the Ocellated dragonet get?

The Ocellated dragonet grows to a maximum of about 9 cm. On average the species is around 5 cm.

Is the Ocellated dragonet dangerous to humans?

No, the Ocellated dragonet is harmless to humans.

Is the Ocellated dragonet edible?

The Ocellated dragonet is not usually eaten.

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All data

Identification

Dutch name
Oogvlek-pitvis sourced
English name
Ocellated dragonet sourced
Scientific name
Neosynchiropus ocellatus
Family
Callionymidae

Appearance

Max length (cm)
8.9 verified
Average length (cm)
5.3 sourced
Dominant colour
Brown inferred
Pattern
Spots inferred
Tail shape
Rounded inferred
Mouth position
Inferior (downward) inferred
Lips
Thick / fleshy inferred
Barbels
No sourced
Dorsal fins
Two separate inferred
Dorsal spines
Yes sourced

Habitat & distribution

Substrate
Stone or rock sourced
Origin
Native sourced

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore sourced
Social behaviour
Solitary inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes sourced
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Edibility
Not eaten sourced
Fishing method
Geen doelsoort voor de hengelsport; hooguit incidentele vangst of bruikbaar als aasvisje. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless sourced

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

More from the family Callionymidae

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