Diplogrammus goramensis
Goram Dragonet
©Anne Hoggett: Diplogrammus goramensis in the lagoon entrance channel. It appears to be eating filamentous algae.
©Anne Hoggett: A female Diplogrammus goramensis in the lagoon at Lizard Island, near base of reef. A row of white dashes, sometimes paired, on a horizontal ridge on the lower side at rear (as shown at bottom left ot this photo) is noticeable in the field.
©Anne Hoggett: The same female Diplogrammus goramensis as above, in the lagoon at Lizard Island near base of reef.
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Actinopterygii
Order
Perciformes
Family
Callionymidae
Genus
Diplogrammus
Species
Diplogrammus goramensis
Colours
Distinguishing features
A very well camouflaged small fish with protuberant eyes that lives on sand near the base of reef patches. Mottled cream and brownish with a series of bright white dashes, sometimes paired, on a horizontal ridge on the lower rear body. The dashes are distinctive in the field. Males have yellow and blue facial markings that are absent in females.
Size
- Size data has not been obtained.
Depth range
- Depth range data is not yet available.
Synonyms
Comments
This could be a femael Callionymus pleurostictus but that needs to be checked by a fish expert. That species is known from Lizard Island.
by Anne Hoggett
Distribution
©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution
Local abundance
- Lizard Island: Probably more abundant than is apparent because they are so well camouflaged. About 10 of various sizes (4 to 7 cm long), none of them adult males, were seen during a single dive in the lagoon (27 Feb 2016)
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.