Callionymus Linnaeus, 1758
Description
Gill opening dorsal. Usually antrorse tip at base of preopercular spine. First dorsal fin with 3-4 spines, and with large membrane behind the last ray. Second dorsal fin with 6-10 rays, rays unbranched except for the last, which is divided at base. Anal fin with 8-10 soft rays or less.
Distribution
Benthic on sandy or muddy bottoms, rarely on hard bottom, from the tidal zone to 650 m. Feeding on small bottom invertebrates, mainly worms, snails and crustaceans. Oviparous; pelagic eggs and larvae. Most species territorial; males aggressive to each other. Complex courtship behaviour with 4 phases: courtship, pairing, ascending, releasing eggs and milt. No commercial importance; occasionally used to produce fish meal. Sometimes fried and eaten in the Mediterranean area.
Species included on this CD-rom:
Callionymus sagitta (Pallas)