Dragonet
D-Gestreifter Leierfisch; GB-Dragonet; DK-Stribet Fløjfisk; PL-Lira; EST-Vöödiline lüürakala; RU-Пескарка полосатая; FIN-Isomerikokki; S-Randig sjökock
Characters
1) 'Kissing-mouth'.
2) Opening of operculum reduced to a hole pointing upwards.
3) Spine present on preoperculum.
●) Pelvic fins in jugular position.
●) Females colouration light-brown to white with spots; males yellow, with blue horizontal stripes on body and fins and first dorsal fin is elongated.
Males rarely bigger than 30 cm; females only up to 20 cm length.
Similar species
Greater weever - upwardly directed mouth.
Black goby - pelvic fins fused to sucking disc; no spine on preoperculum.
Round goby - pelvic fins fused to sucking disc; no spine on preoperculum.
Biology
Lives on the bottom, preferably on soft grounds. During spawning season between January and August the male dances in front of the female, thereafter the pair ascent to the surface spawning along the way. Eggs and larvae remain initially in the free water, before the young fish become bottom-living.Diet
Feeds on small crustaceans and on other small bottom-living organisms.Importance
Of no commercial importance.Endangerment
As by-catch in trawl nets.Callionymus lyra
