| It is easy to look at a Dragonet and not see it. They spend much of their time hiding in the sandy seabed, and are excellent at camouflaging themselves. But when a male Dragonet decides he wants to be seen– usually by a nearby female– then it really is a site to behold! The male Dragonet is considerably larger than the drab female, and with his long colourful dorsal fin and brightly marked body he is one of the most beautiful creatures found in Irish waters. |
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When a male Dragonet is ready to mate, he swims around in front of the female, flashing his brilliantly coloured fins, and twisting and swooping in a wonderful display of courtship. If the female is suitably impressed, she joins the dance, and they swim together into mid-water where the sperm and eggs are released. |
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| The dragonet gets its name from its large, colourful head, long pointed jaw, and bright irredescent eyes, which combine to give this beautiful animal a truly medieval look! |
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| Fishy Facts | |||
| Name: | Dragonet | Size: | Male up to 30cm, Female to 20cm |
| Other Name(s) : | N/A | Weight: | 200g |
| Irish Name : | Iasgan Nimhe | Lifespan: | 3 years |
| Scientific Name : | Callionymus lyra | Habitat: | Sandy bays and beaches |
| Edible: | In theory, but rarely eaten |
Where in Ireland is it found?: | In sandy bays all round Irish coast |
| Food: Small crustaceans and marine worms |
Interesting Fact : The male dragonet has a large dosal fin which it uses to attract a mate, the female’s dorsal fin is much smaller and only used for swimming. |
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