Synchiropus phaeton (Günther, 1861)
Phaeton dragonet
photo by Crocetta, F.

Family:  Callionymidae (Dragonets)
Max. size:  18 cm TL (male/unsexed); 12 cm TL (female)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 80 - 848 m
Distribution:  Eastern Atlantic: Portugal and the Azores to Gabon, including the Mediterranean.
Diagnosis:   
Biology:  Depth range from 80-650 m (Ref. 06941) and from 302-848 m in the eastern Ionian Sea (Ref. 56504). Found on sand or mud bottoms. Territorial, males aggressive to each other. Feeds on small bottom invertebrates, mainly worms, snails and crustaceans. Eggs and larvae pelagic (Ref. 5968). Minimum depth reported from Ref. 26999.
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC); Date assessed: 06 May 2013 Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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