Home · Callionymidae · Deepwater dragonet
Deepwater dragonet (Bathycallionymus kaianus) — Callionymidae

Deepwater dragonet

Bathycallionymus kaianus
Family: Callionymidae

The Deepwater dragonet (Bathycallionymus kaianus) is a saltwater fish of the family Callionymidae that grows up to 16 cm.

Length
16 cm
Water
Saltwater
Depth
180.0–290.0 m
Diet
Carnivore
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like)
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom
Danger
Harmless

Description

The deepwater dragonet is a dragonet (Callionymidae) of the continental slope in the Indo-West Pacific. The species grows to about 10 cm and has a flattened, scaleless body with a triangular head, high-set eyes and a small, protrusible mouth; the male carries a high, ornate first dorsal fin. As a bottom-dweller of deeper water it creeps over sand and mud and picks small crustaceans, worms and fish eggs. The fish is harmless to humans.

Frequently asked questions

How do you recognise the Deepwater dragonet?

The Deepwater dragonet has an elongate, eel-like body and is mainly red-orange.

Where does the Deepwater dragonet live?

The Deepwater dragonet lives in the sea (marine waters) and is mostly found around sand or mud bottom.

How big does the Deepwater dragonet get?

The Deepwater dragonet grows to a maximum of about 16 cm.

Is the Deepwater dragonet dangerous to humans?

No, the Deepwater dragonet is harmless to humans.

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →

All data

Identification

Dutch name
Diepwater-pitvis sourced
English name
Deepwater dragonet sourced
Scientific name
Bathycallionymus kaianus
Family
Callionymidae
Other names
Kai dragonet; Kai Island deepwater dragonet; Kaia's dragonet verified

Appearance

Size class
Medium verified
Max length (cm)
16.0 verified
Body shape
Elongated (eel-like) sourced
Dominant colour
Red / orange sourced
Tail shape
Straight inferred

Habitat & distribution

Water type
Saltwater sourced
Substrate
Sand / mud bottom sourced
Min depth (m)
180.0 verified
Max depth (m)
290.0 verified
Origin
Native inferred

Behaviour & biology

Diet
Carnivore inferred
Territorial
No inferred
Reproduction
Separate sexes inferred
Sexual dimorphism
Yes inferred

For anglers

Fishing method
Bodemvissen met natuurlijk aas (worm, garnaal of vis) op of vlak boven de bodem. inferred
Regulations source
FishBase ↗ inferred

Safety

Danger to humans
Harmless verified

Status & sources

Sources
FishBase via GBIF (DwC-A), CC-BY-NC 4.0

More from the family Callionymidae

Download Fin's Fish Guide

Identify fish in seconds, log your catches and dives. Join the TestFlight beta.

Get the beta →