Little Dragonfish (light)

Eurypegasus draconis is a species of marine fish in the family Pegasidae.

Description

Color is variable: body usually light to dark red or brown (even black), with dorsal and lateral area darker than ventral surface. Pectoral fins hyaline, distal margin white and spotted. Pelvic fin spine and 1st ray forming an elongate, tentacular structure. 3 pairs of dorsolateral body plates; 4 pairs of ventrolateral body plates; tail rings 8 (rarely 9), mobile. A pair of deep pits posterior to orbit. Suborbital shelf concave, eye visible in ventral view. Ventral ridges of rostrum greatly expanded than dorsal ridges, each with laterally directed denticles. Anal papilla absent. Dorsal spines (total): 0; Dorsal soft rays (total): 5; Anal spines: 0; Anal soft rays: 5; Vertebrae: 19 - 22. This small fish can grow up to 10 cm (3.9 in) length. The little dragonfish sheds it skin in one piece. It is estimated that millions of these kind of fish are sold for traditional medicine each year in China and Hong Kong alone.

Distribution

The little dragonfish is widespread throughout the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific, Red Sea included.

Habitat

It inhabits lagoons often among algal or seagrass beds. It is found on sand or silt bottoms, frequently in bays or estuaries. It is opportunistic feeder that collect mainly epifaunal and interstitial invertebrate prey, e.g., crustaceans and worms from the sediment-water interface. Sheds its skin in one piece with a rapid jump periodically to rid itself of accumulated ballast. Adults usually in pairs on muddy substrates. It has a monogamous mating system with close-pair bonding.