Finger Dragonet, Dactylopus dactylopus (Valenciennes, 1837)
Scientific name: Dactylopus dactylopus
Alternative name/s:
Fingered Dragonet
Fingered Dragonet
Click to enlarge image
A Finger Dragonet at a depth of 15m, Mosmans, Swan River, Western Australia, 30 October 2004.
Image: William White
© William White
© William White
Fast Facts
-
Classification
- Genus
- Dactylopus
- Species
- dactylopus
- Family
- Callionymidae
- Order
- Perciformes
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Subphylum
- Vertebrata
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Kingdom
- Animalia
-
- Size Range
- 30 cm
Introduction
The Finger Dragonet is the only species of Dactylopus known from Australian waters.
Identification
The species can be recognised by its large fan-like pelvic fins with a leading detatched first ray.
Habitat
Sandy and weedy seabeds.
Distribution
It occurs in the Indo-west Pacific region. In Australia it is known from tropical and some temperate waters from south-western Western Australia to northern New South Wales.
The map below shows the Australian distribution of the species based on public sightings and specimens in Australian Museums. Click on the map for detailed information. Source: Atlas of Living Australia.
Distribution data sourced from the Atlas of Living Australia
Feeding and diet
Watch a Finger Dragonet feeding on brine shrimp.
References
- Allen, G.R. & R. Swainston. 1988. The Marine Fishes of North-Western Australia. A Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Western Australian Museum. Pp. 201.
- Hoese, D.F., Bray, D.J., Paxton, J.R. & G.R. Allen. 2006. Fishes. In Beesley, P.L. & A. Wells. (eds) Zoological Catalogue of Australia. Volume 35. ABRS & CSIRO Publishing: Australia. parts 1-3, pages 1-2178.
