Scientific Name
Dactylopus dactylopus

Common Name
Fingered dragonet

Biology
Dorsal spines (total): 4; Dorsal soft rays (total): 8; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 7. Identified by the finger-like separate first rays of the ventral fins, and distinguished from the similar D. kuiteri in usually having 8 divided rays in the second dorsal fin (versus 9), the fin with a distinct horizontal pattern of lines in adults, and males have long filaments on the first dorsal fin (versus short or absent) (Ref. 48636). Body moderately depressed. Preopercular spine with processes on both inner and outer sides. Pelvic spine and 1st pelvic ray fused into an elongate rod, separated from the other pelvic rays. Attains 10 cm SL.

Classification

Classified By

Valenciennes, 1837

Class

Ray-finned fishes (Actinopterygii)

Order

Perch-like fish (Perciformes)

Family

Dragonets (Callionymidae)

Distribution

Region

Western Pacific

Distribution

Western Pacific: Japan (Ref. 559) to northwestern Australia.

Range

Unknown

Environment

Climate

Tropical

Water Temperature From

Unknown °C

Water Temperature To

Unknown °C

Depth From - meters

1 m

Depth To - meters

55 m

Zone

reef-associated

Environment

Marine; reef-associated; depth range 1 - 55 m (Ref. 37816)

Trophic Level

3.44 s.e. 0.45 Based on size and trophs of closest relatives

Occurs in Marine / Salt water

True

Occurs in Brackish water

False

Occurs in Fresh Water

False

Occurs on Reefs

True

Is kept in Aquariums

True

Physical Size and Genetics

Maximum Length

30.0 cm

Common Length

Unknown cm

Phylogenetic Diversity Index

PD50 = 0.7500 many relatives (e.g. carps) 0.5 - 2.0 few relatives (e.g. lungfishes)

Human Uses and Population

Human Uses

Fisheries: of no interest; aquarium: commercial

Vulnerability

Low to moderate vulnerability (33 of 100)

Resilience

Medium, minimum population doubling time 1.4 - 4.4 years (Preliminary K or Fecundity.)

Threat To Humans

Harmless

IUCN Red List Status

Not Evaluated