Eleutherochir opercularis (Valenciennes, 1837)
Flap-gilled dragonet
photo by FAO

Family:  Callionymidae (Dragonets)
Max. size:  11 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; brackish; marine
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: Sri Lanka, east coast of India, Andaman and Nicobar islands to western Malaysia (Penang) and Indonesia, east to the Philippines and the Ryukyu Islands, Japan.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 4-4; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal soft rays: 9-9. Head and body brown or yellow, belly lighter. Back with small light spots and dark blotches. First dorsal fin black. Anal fin whitish. Pelvic fins dark and brown or black. Second dorsal, caudal, and pectoral fins spotted with dark brown. Body without lateral fold of skin below lateral line. Interorbital distance more than eye diameter (Ref 42832).
Biology:  Inhabits shallow sandy and muddy bottoms in the sea, but also enters mouths of rivers and may live even in freshwater .
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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