Deep-water dragonet (Synchiropus monacanthus)
Source-cited species reference: taxonomy from WoRMS, biology from FishBase, occurrence map from GBIF.
Last updated
Distribution map plotted from GBIF.org occurrence records; basemap Natural Earth 110m · GBIF records CC0 / CC BY; Natural Earth public domain
Deep-water dragonet (Synchiropus monacanthus) is a marine species in the family Callionymidae (Chordata › Teleostei › Callionymiformes), recorded in the World Register of Marine Species as Synchiropus monacanthus Smith, 1935 under AphiaID 219781.
Scientific classification
- KingdomAnimalia
- PhylumChordata
- ClassActinopterygii
- DivisionTeleostei
- OrderSyngnathiformes
- FamilyCallionymidae
- GenusSynchiropus
- SpeciesSynchiropus monacanthus
Named by J. L. B. Smith, 1935
Sources: Wikipedia taxobox: Synchiropus monacanthus (CC BY-SA 4.0) · differs from this box at order: WoRMS AphiaID 219781 (CC BY 4.0)
How big is it?
Largest length in the source, 0.13 m, next to a 1.8 m person.
Diagram: drawn by Codexery, schematic shapes to scale (not a likeness). Length: FishBase species summary
Where the deep-water dragonet (synchiropus monacanthus) has been recorded
Each dot is a place where the species has been observed and reported (45 records, half-degree grid) — not a modelled range.
Map: drawn by Codexery. Data: GBIF occurrence search (records CC0 / CC BY) · Natural Earth basemap (public domain)
Classification (WoRMS)
Full classification as recorded by WoRMS: Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Chordata · Class: Teleostei · Order: Callionymiformes · Family: Callionymidae · Genus: Synchiropus.
Accepted name: Synchiropus monacanthus · Authority: Smith, 1935 · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 219781.
Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=219781 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.
Biology and life history (FishBase)
Measured values published by FishBase for Synchiropus monacanthus. Only fields the database actually holds for this species are shown; these are database values, not aquarium guidance.
Maximum length: 13 cm · Depth range: 175–428 m · Habitat zone: bathydemersal · Body shape: fusiform / normal · Vulnerability index: 10 of 100 · Aquarium trade: never/rarely.
FishBase notes: Found on mud bottoms.
Source: FishBase species summary (SpecCode 10763) — https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Synchiropus-monacanthus.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-25.
Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)
45 georeferenced occurrence records for Synchiropus monacanthus are published through GBIF from 7 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 17 distinct locations from a sample of 45 records; it shows where the species has been observed and reported, not a modelled range.
Most records by country or area: South Africa (22); Mozambique (13); Réunion (3); Madagascar (2); Yemen (2); India (1); Kenya (1).
Marine regions with a valid WoRMS distribution record: Tanzanian Exclusive Economic Zone; South Africa (country); Mozambican Exclusive Economic Zone.
Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 2386682) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=2386682&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=219781 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-25.
Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Synchiropus monacanthus (CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Classification: the source article's taxobox; compare WoRMS, the World Register of Marine Species (CC BY 4.0).
- Occurrence records: GBIF (CC0 / CC BY). Basemap: Natural Earth (public domain).
- Biology values: FishBase species summary (CC BY-NC 3.0, non-commercial).
- Word definitions: the Codexery glossary, each quoted from its Wikipedia article.
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