Unusual little fish

[Navarre]

I found this little wonder in a shop near me. They had no idea what it was (and neither did I) so i took a chance and purchased it.

its a fantastic little character and actually walks on its fins and to leg like feelers under its body.

I try not to make impulse buys but every now and then something like this comes along that you gotta get there and then or you know it wont be seen again.

 

[digital_run]

I cant help you with the I.D....but thats an amazing looking fish. That last pic looks like a giant moth or bug. Wicked

 

[hyrookin]

yeah, I'd say it's a real good chance you won't see that again!

wow. looks like a prehistoric goby!

 

[MAM]

wow,that last shot...... what a different little fish. have any luck yet tracking down what it is how big is it now? what have you observed about it so far?? neat little thing, can't wait to find out what it is.

 

[Navarre]

Wow Digital Run! GO straight to the top of the class

Its actually a Mothfish. Also known as a Short Dragonfish/LittleDragonfish/Pegasus Dragon

Its latin name is Eurypegasus draconis

If you look at the second piccy you can see 2 little "legs" under its body. It raises itself up on these and scurries across the tank

remarkable little thing!

 

[Navarre]

MAM:

Its about 2.5 inches in size at the moment and from what i have read, its adult size is just over 3 inches so its close to fully grown.

It seems to hop along the sand much like a Mandarin or Scooter bleny. But it also has these strange little legs under it (2 legs) and every now and then it will scurry along on these legs. If you have ever seen those lizards that run across water then its similar to that only far slower

You would think its a bottom feeder/swimmer too but to my suprise it spends quite a bit of time swimming in the open watr too! I think its definately a bottomw dweller and its main food source is life within the sand so these strange mid water swims are as yet a mystery to me.. perhaps its to get rid of sand that covers it whilst it digs around looking for food?

 

[digital_run]

A suiting name for it

 

[Fishy411]

resize it to 500 by 500 pixels and send it to me at [email protected] and i'll find out what it is for u.

 

[Dwarfs]

It looks kind of like a sea robin , are they related? Cool I'm going to get out of the SW section now

 

[ThatDarnDragon]

Interesting little sucker.. good luck with it!

 

[hyrookin]

hey navarre, what are you feeding it?
is it a good eater?

you have yourself an awesome little fish there!

 

[Navarre]

Its feeds on small crustaecians in the sand etc. Basically the same feeding requirements as a Mandarin.
I have alot of pod life in the sump but rarely see much activity in the main tank (im sure there is but tey hide during the day).

Its settled i n real well and is very bold. Although it scratches around in the sand i am not sur if it does its main feeding by day or night. My guess would be a night feeder as the pods it hunts are more nocturnal

 

[chkltcow]

How did you manage to get your hands on one of those? I looked it up on Google, and they're on the threatened species lists.... usually meaning that import/export of them is prohibited!

Either way, that's an awesome little critter! Make sure you take tons of pictures of that guy, as it certainly is something you don't see everyday!!

 

[Navarre]

Yep your right its on the endagered list!

I didnt know this when i bought it. When i discovered this i immediately reported this to the National Marine Aquarium to see if its legal for me ot keep it. I have also forwarded the details of hte shop i got it from. ALthough i love this little guy, its makes me angry when shops abuse these restricted imports and sell fish thata are clearly endangered. This only gives the lobbiests that want marine fishkeeping more power to voice their arguments to ban the hobby altogether

I am definatrly not going to give it back to the shop but if the national marine aquarium says i must hand it over to a liscensed establishement for endangered species then i will do so gladly

Will miss him though if i have too )

 

[chkltcow]

Well you're doing the right thing Navarre, no matter how much it sucks Just make sure you take all the pictures you can while you have him because they're not a very well documented species, certainly not in the aquarium!