TAXONOMY
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Actinopterygii (ray-finned fishes)
Order: Perciformes (Perch-likes)
Family: Callionymidae (Dragonets)
Genus/species: Synchiropus splendidus
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS: Body depressed, small head. Ground color green (rare individuals red). Body covered with dark blue blotches ringed with dark outlines. Pectoral fins, face yellow.
Length to 6 cm (2.36 in).
DISTRIBUTION/HABITAT: Western Pacific in shallow protected lagoons and inshore coral reefs with silty substrates 1 to 18 m
(3.28 to 59 ft).
DIET IN THE WILD: Small crustaceans such as amphipods and isopods, small worms and protozoans.
REPRODUCTION: Polygynandrous (promiscuous). During spawning they are pelagic and are seen in the open ocean.
LIFESPAN: 10-15 years in the wild.
CONSERVATION: IUCN Not Evaluated
Color of Life: aposematic warning
S. splendidus have a vibrant display of colors. They secrete mucous that has an unpleasant smell with toxins and a bitter taste which is used as a repellent from predators.
References
California Academy of Sciences exhibit 2015
fishbase www.fishbase.org/summary/12644
Animal Diversity Web animaldiversity.org/accounts/Synchiropus_splendidus/
Ron’s flickr https://www.flickr.com/photos/cas_docents/15148891995/in/album-72157659465376212/
Ron’s WordPress shortlink http://wp.me/p1DZ4b-1Ba
