12 photos - 3 species

Introduction

There are 20 genera and around 190 species.

The two most colourful species are the mandarin lyrefish found in the reef.

Almost all of them are bottom dwellers.

They grow to between 2 and 30 cm in length, depending on the species.

Dactylopus dactylopus

Fingered dragonet

Male
Male
Female
Female

Maximum length: 18 cm

Depth: 1 - 50 m

Found on sandy and muddy areas or sandy slopes and mud.

Burrows during the day.

When disturbed, the fish raises its fins. 

Photos 1 - 2 Johnny: Lembeh Strait North Sulawesi

Neosynchiropus ocellatus

Ocellated dragonet or Scooter dragonet

Maximum length: 7 cm

Depth: 1 - 25 m

Blotchy camouflage pattern on greenish to brownish body.

Fine blue dots on the head.

Found on sandy and rocky bottoms.

Solitary or in small, loose groups.

Photos 1 - 2 Johnny: Moalboal Philippines

Synchiropus splendidus

Mandarinfish or Mandarin dragonet

Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male
Male and Female
Male and Female
Male and Female
Male and Female
Male
Male
Female
Female
Female
Female

Maximum length: 6 cm

Depth: 3 - 30 m

Difficult to find, lives in dense coral growth,

very close to shore and in murky waters.

Broad head, many spines, instead of scales they have a firm slimy skin

that smells so bad that some species are also called stinkfish.

To mate, the pair swims steeply upwards from the bottom, with their pelvic fins touching.

Photos 1 - 3 Johnny: Moalboal Philippines

Photos 4 - 8 Johnny: Lembeh Strait North - Sulawesi