Animal Species:Painted Stinkfish, Eocallionymus papilio (Günther, 1864)

The dragonets and stinkfishes are bottom-dwelling fishes that typically have triangular heads and barbed preopercular spines.
 

Painted Stinkfish, Eocallionymus papilio

Painted Stinkfish, Eocallionymus papilio
Ian Shaw © Ian Shaw

Alternative Name/s

Painted Dragonet

Identification

Male and female Painted Stinkfish have different colour patterns (sexual dichromatism). Base colouration can vary from white to pink and dark brown. Males are generally spotted above and have vertical striping below. Females are usually also spotted above but are blotched below. The first dorsal fin of the male is larger and more colourful than that of the female.

Size range

The species grows to 13 cm in length, but is more commonly seen at lengths of 5 cm to 7 cm.

Distribution

The species is endemic to Australia. It occurs in temperate marine waters from the central New South Wales coast, around the south of the country to south-western Western Australia.

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.

Eocallionymus papilio Ozcam map of Painted Stinkfish specimens in the Australian Museum.

What does this mean?

Habitat

The Painted Stinkfish is usually found at depths between 3 m and 50 m, in seagrass beds and areas of muddy, sandy or shell-covered seabeds. It is often well camouflaged.

Classification

Species:
papilio
Genus:
Eocallionymus
Family:
Callionymidae
Order:
Perciformes
Class:
Actinopterygii
Subphylum:
Vertebrata
Phylum:
Chordata
Kingdom:
Animalia

What does this mean?

References

  1. Edgar, G.J. 1997. Australian Marine Life: the plants and animals of temperate waters. Reed Books. Pp. 544.
  2. Fricke, R. 1983. Revision of the Indo-Pacific Genera and Species of the Dragonet Family Callionymidae (Teleostei). Braunschweig. Pp. 774. Figs. 212.
  3. Gomon, M.F. in Gomon, M.F., Glover, C.J.M. & R.H. Kuiter (Eds). 1994. The Fishes of Australia's South Coast. State Print, Adelaide. Pp. 992.
  4. Hutchins, B. & R. Swainston. 1986. Sea Fishes of Southern Australia. Complete Field Guide for Anglers and Divers. Swainston Publishing. Pp. 180.
  5. Kuiter, R.H. 1996. Guide to Sea Fishes of Australia. New Holland. Pp. 433.
  6. Kuiter, R.H. 2000. Coastal Fishes of South-eastern Australia. Gary Allen. Pp. 437.


Mark McGrouther , Collection Manager, Ichthyology
Last Updated:

Tags fishes, ichthyology, Painted Stinkfish, Eocallionymus papilio, Callionymidae, white, pink, brown, odd-shaped, 10 cm - 30 cm, blotches/mottled, countershaded, rocky reef, coral reef, marine, adult, soft substrate,