Dendrochirus brachypterus
Dwarf Lionfish
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Actinopterygii
Order
Scorpaeniformes
Family
Scorpaenidae
Genus
Dendrochirus
Species
Dendrochirus brachypterus
Colours
Distinguishing features
Broad reddish-brown bars on the body, leafy appendages on the head. Distinguished from Pterois species by a continuous membrane joining the pectoral fin rays to the tips. Distinguished from Dendrochirus zebra by circumferential red and white bars on the pectoral fins. (Contributed by Tim Gordon)
Size
- Up to 17 cm (Total Length)
Depth range
- From 1 m to 68 m
Synonyms
Similar taxa
-
Animalia:
Scorpion Fish (species: Dendrochirus zebra)
is more common at Lizard Island and pectoral fins have radiating dark stripes rather than concentric bands.
Distribution
©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution
Distribution and habitat preferences
Common in reef flats and shallow lagoons, in areas with weed-covered rocks on sandy substrates. Adults often found on sponges and juveniles are sometimes found in small aggregations on remote bommies with 10 or so individuals (Fishbase).
Local abundance
- Lizard Island: Rare.
Web resources
References
References that assist with identification
- Allen and M.V. Erdmann, G.R. (2012). Reef fishes of the East Indies. Volumes I-III in: Reef fishes of the East Indies. Tropical Reef Research, Perth, Australia. LIRS catalog number 90162.
Other references
- Caley, M.J. (1995). Reef fish community structure and dynamics: in interaction between local and larger-scale processes? Marine Ecology Progress Series, 129: 19-29. LIRS catalog number 448.
- Caley, M.J. and J. St John (1996). Refuge availability structures assemblages of tropical reef fishes, Journal of Animal Ecology, 65: 414-428. LIRS catalog number 458.