Home · Callionymidae · Pygmy dragonet
Pygmy dragonet (Diplogrammus pygmaeus) — Callionymidae

Pygmy dragonet

Diplogrammus pygmaeus
Family: Callionymidae

The Pygmy dragonet (Diplogrammus pygmaeus) is a saltwater fish of the family Callionymidae that grows up to 4 cm.

Length
3.7 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
14.0–17.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless
Range
Asia: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Em.

Want the complete picture on the Pygmy dragonet?

Get the app

Description

The Pygmy dragonet is a dragonet (Callionymidae) from shallow sand and reef water of the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 6 cm and has a flattened, scaleless body with a triangular head, high-set eyes and a small, protrusible mouth; males often carry a high, ornate first dorsal fin. As a bottom-dweller it creeps over sand and rubble and picks small crustaceans, worms and fish eggs. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Pygmy dragonet?

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

Where does the Pygmy dragonet live?

The Pygmy dragonet lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom. Asia: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Em.

How big does the Pygmy dragonet get?

The Pygmy dragonet grows to a maximum of about 4 cm.

Is the Pygmy dragonet dangerous to humans?

No, the Pygmy 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 Pygmy dragonet?

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

Get the app →

All data

Identification

English name
Pygmy dragonet sourced
Scientific name
Diplogrammus pygmaeus
Family
Callionymidae
Other names
Pygmy dragonet verified

Appearance

Size class
Small verified
Max length (cm)
3.7 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)
14.0 verified
Max depth (m)
17.0 verified
Natural range
Asia: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Em. 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
Small in size and barely an angling target; mostly caught incidentally or as baitfish. 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 Diplogrammus

More from the family Callionymidae

Fin

Want the complete picture on the Pygmy dragonet?

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

Get the app →
Is this the Pygmy dragonet? Get the app