Animal Species:Finger Dragonet, Dactylopus dactylopus (Valenciennes, 1837)

The Finger Dragonet is the only species of Dactylopus known from Australian waters.

Alternative Name/s

Fingered Dragonet

Identification

The species can be recognised by its large fan-like pelvic fins with a leading detatched first ray.

Size range

30 cm

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.

Dactylopus dactylopus Ozcam map of Finger Dragonet specimens in the Australian Museum.

What does this mean?

Habitat

Sandy and weedy seabeds.

Classification

Species:
dactylopus
Genus:
Dactylopus
Family:
Callionymidae
Order:
Perciformes
Class:
Actinopterygii
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

References

  1. 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.
  2. 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.


Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:

Tags Finger Dragonet, Dactylopus dactulopus, Callionymidae, fishes, ichthyology, brown, red, blue, green, elongated, 10 cm - 30 cm,