Callionymus octostigmatus Fricke, 1981
Eightspot dragonet
photo by FAO

Family:  Callionymidae (Dragonets)
Max. size:  15 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  demersal; marine; depth range 49 - 148 m
Distribution:  Indo-West Pacific: Andaman Sea to China, Philippines and New Guinea.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 4-4; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-9; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 9-9. Head and body brown, dorsally with many white-edged dark spots. Ventral sides whitish. Sides with 1 or 2 rows of dark blotches. First dorsal fin in males with many irregular white-edged dark lines. Fin distally blackish in females and young males. Second dorsal fin in males with vertical blackish streaks. Anal fin with 8 basal blackish spots. Caudal, pectoral, and pelvic fins spotted with brown (Ref 42832).
Biology:  Found on sand and mud bottoms (Ref. 42832). Feeds on crustaceans, worms, and snails (Ref. 42832). Utilized as fish meal; sometimes marketed fresh (Ref. 42832).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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