Little Dragonfish
Eurypegasus draconis
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Actinopterygii
- Order
- Syngnathiformes
- Family
- Pegasidae
- Genus
- Eurypegasus
- Species
- Eurypegasus draconis
The little dragonfish (Eurypegasus draconis), also called the short dragonfish or seamoth, is a strange, armoured little fish that 'walks' across sand on its fin rays. Its flattened body is encased in bony plates, and its broad pectoral fins spread like wings.
It grows to about 8-10 cm and is usually seen in pairs on sand and rubble, picking tiny invertebrates from the bottom. It regularly sheds its skin in one piece, which may help keep it free of parasites. Colour varies from brown and grey to almost white to match the sand.
The little dragonfish is found across the Indo-Pacific, including the Philippines, where it is a much-loved find on sandy muck sites.