Synchiropus phaeton

Lore & Background

Synchiropus phaeton was described by Günther in 1861. It exhibits sexual dimorphism in size, with males generally larger than females; males grow up to 10–14 cm (maximum 18 cm), while females reach up to 12 cm, though sizes greater than 20 cm have been reported. The fish is characterized by large eyes set inside the skull and an extraordinary spiny structure on the top of the gill cover (preopercular spine). Its body is orange or red dorsally with yellow to olive patches, and the belly ranges from pinkish to silvery. The dorsal fin bears a black blotch between the third and fourth spine, and the anal fin has a black streak or margin.

The species is benthic and deep-water, inhabiting muddy and sandy bottoms at depths of 80–650 m. It feeds on small bottom invertebrates such as worms, snails, and crustaceans. Males exhibit territorial behavior, being aggressive toward other males of the same species. In the Mediterranean, reproduction occurs from June to September, with eggs and larvae developing pelagically in open water.

Reader's Guide

Synchiropus phaeton is a relatively small, deep-water dragonet found in the eastern Atlantic from Portugal and the Azores to Gabon, and throughout the Mediterranean Sea to Cyprus and the coast of Israel. It is less abundant in the northern Adriatic and northern Aegean seas. The species occurs as bycatch in octopus fishery in Senegal and bottom trawl fishery in the Mediterranean. Some fish of the family Callionymidae are marketed locally and used in the aquarium trade, though the article does not specify that S. phaeton itself is utilized. No major threats are known; the population is considered highly abundant, and the species is not listed as endangered, being marked as Least Concern (LC). Its notable features include sexual dimorphism in size, a spiny gill-cover structure, and a distinctive black blotch on the dorsal fin.

Did You Know?

• The name Synchiropus phaeton comes from Greek words meaning 'grown together', 'hand', and 'foot'.
• Males have a black blotch on the dorsal fin between the third and fourth spine.
• The species is found at depths of 80–650 m on muddy and sandy bottoms.
• Reproduction in the Mediterranean occurs from June to September, with pelagic eggs and larvae.