Dragonets and Relatives: Callionymoidei

Dragonets and their relatives are small and have a long flat body with a broad flat head. Dragonets usually have two dorsal fins, the first having one to four spines. The dorsal fins of some males are large and high and have long rays, or supporting rods. Dragonets also have large pelvic and pectoral fins. The dorsal (DOOR-suhl) fin is the one along the midline of the back. The pelvic fins correspond to the rear legs and the pectoral (PECKter-uhl) fins to the front legs of four-footed animals.

The bone in front of the gill cover of dragonets has spines. The body has no scales. Many species of dragonets have camouflage coloring, but others are brilliantly colored. Some species produce a bitter-tasting slime that covers their bodies and may serve as protection from predators (PREH-duh-ters), or animals that hunt and kill other animals for food.

Draconetts have small, long, tubular bodies, large pectoral fins, and long pelvic fins. They have no scales. These fishes have large eyes. There are two dorsal fins, with the first having three spines. There are strong spines around the gill covers.