Dwarf Lionfish (species: Dendrochirus brachypterus) in taxonomy (Lizard Island Field Guide)
Dendrochirus brachypterus
Dwarf Lionfish


©Anne Hoggett: Dendrochirus brachypterus 5 cm long at MacGillivray Reef near Lizard Island.

©Anne Hoggett: Dendrochirus brachypterus 5 cm long at MacGillivray Reef near Lizard Island.

©Anne Hoggett: Dendrochirus brachypterus 5 cm long at MacGillivray Reef near Lizard Island.
Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Actinopterygii
Order Scorpaeniformes
Family Scorpaenidae
Genus Dendrochirus
Species Dendrochirus brachypterus

Colours

                        

Distinguishing features

Broad reddish-brown bars on the body, leafy appendages on the head. Distinguished from Pterois species by a continuous membrane joining the pectoral fin rays to the tips. Distinguished from Dendrochirus zebra by circumferential red and white bars on the pectoral fins. (Contributed by Tim Gordon)

Size

  • Up to 15 cm (length according to Allen and Erdmann, 2012)

Depth range

  • Depth range data is not yet available.

Synonyms

Similar taxa

Distribution


©Atlas of Living Australia: Australian distribution

Local abundance

  • Lizard Island: Rare.

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.

Other references

  • Caley, M.J. (1995). Reef fish community structure and dynamics: in interaction between local and larger-scale processes? Marine Ecology Progress Series, 129: 19-29. LIRS catalog number 448.
  • Caley, M.J. and J. St John (1996). Refuge availability structures assemblages of tropical reef fishes, Journal of Animal Ecology, 65: 414-428. LIRS catalog number 458.