---
title: Dragonet (Callionymidae)
scientific_name: Callionymidae
common_name: Dragonet
rank: Family
published: 2024-11-19T18:41:51.573Z
updated: 2026-08-03T21:26:09.062Z
tags: Dragonet, Callionymidae, Red Sea, Marine Life, Diving
url: https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/dragonet
---

# Dragonet (*Callionymidae*)

## Quick facts

- **Rank:** Family
- **Scientific name:** Callionymidae
- **Body shape:** Bottom-dwelling - Stocky, big-headed, sits on the reef or sand rather than swims - scorpionfishes, groupers, gobies.
- **Species listed here:** 6

## How to recognise this group

- elongated, slightly flattened body
- large, upward-pointing eyes
- sits on substrate, hops with pectoral and pelvic fins
- camouflaged colouration

Dragonets are bottom-dwelling marine fish, characterised by elongated, slightly flattened bodies and a broad head. Their large, upward-pointing eyes are set wide apart, aiding in spotting prey and predators from above. Most species measure 5 to 15 cm (2-6 in), with some reaching 30 cm (12 in). Their variable colouration typically provides camouflage, allowing them to blend with sandy, silty, or rubble substrates.

They inhabit areas often adjacent to coral reefs or within seagrass beds, from shallow waters down to 200 m (650 ft). Dragonets move with short, quick darts or by 'hopping' along the substrate using their pectoral and pelvic fins, preying on small benthic invertebrates. Males of many species feature an elaborately patterned and elevated first dorsal fin, which they display during courtship. Though common, their cryptic habits mean they are often overlooked by divers.


## Species (6)

- [Blue-Spotted Dragonet (Diplogrammus infulatus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/dragonet/blue-spotted-dragonet)
- [Delicate Dragonet (Callionymus delicatulus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/dragonet/delicate-dragonet)
- [Filamentous Dragonet (Callionymus filamentosus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/dragonet/filamentous-dragonet)
- [Randall’s Dragonet (Diplogrammus randalli)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/dragonet/randalls-dragonet)
- [Smallhead Dragonet (Callionymus erythraeus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/dragonet/smallhead-dragonet)
- [Yellow Dragonet (Callionymus flavus)](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/dragonet/yellow-dragonet)

---

*Source: [Red Sea Creatures](https://redseacreatures.com/taxon/fishes/bony-fishes/dragonet)*
*Updated: August 3, 2026*