Paracallionymus costatus (Boulenger, 1898)
Ladder dragonet
Paracallionymus costatus
photo by Le Noury, P.

Family:  Callionymidae (Dragonets)
Max. size:  15 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  bathydemersal; marine; depth range 37 - 457 m
Distribution:  Southeast Atlantic and Western Indian Ocean: Luderitz Bay, Namibia to Inhaca, Mozambique.
Diagnosis:  Dorsal spines (total): 4-4; Dorsal soft rays (total): 9-10; Anal spines: 0-0; Anal soft rays: 9-9. Live specimens yellow in color; females with black spinous dorsal fin (Ref. 4405).
Biology:  Mainly in deep water (Ref. 4405). Preyed upon by kingklip and other commercial species, as well as fur seals (Ref. 27121).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. (130435)
Threat to humans:  harmless


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