Dendrochirus brachypterus

Dendrochirus brachypterus Was first formally described in 1829 as Pterois brachyptera by the French zoologist Georges Cuvier with no type locality given.[3] This species is the type species of the brachypterus species complex within the genus Dendrochirus.[4] The specific name means “short finned”, an allusion to the relatively short pectoral fins compared to Dendrochirus zebra which Cuvier first described in the same publication.[5]

Dendrochirus brachypterus has 13 spines and 9 or 10 soft rays in its dorsal fin, the middlespeines of the dorsal fin are shorter than the depth of the body, and there are 3 spines and 5 soft rays in the anal fin.[2] The background colour is dusky mottled brown to reddish-brown boreken by darker bars on the body, the pectoral fins are distinctly banded. There is a short tentacle over the eye and leaf-like appendages on the head and along the lateral line which vary in their development. There are no filaments on the pelvic fins.[6] There are black spots edged with red on the filaments extending from the dorsal spines and there are 8-10 dark bars on pectoral fins.[7] This species attains a maximum published total length of 17 cm (6.7 in).[2]

Dendrochirus brachypterus has a wide Indo-Pacific distribution from the eastern coast of Africa from the Red Sea south to South Africa and eastwards to Samoa, north to the Philippines and south to Australia.[1] In Australian waters this species occurs from the Houtman Abrolhos in Western Australia to Sydney in New South Wales, as well as Lord Howe Island in the Tasman Sea.[6] The dwarf lionfish is found at depths between 1 and 80 m (3 ft 3 in and 262 ft 6 in) in reef flats and shallow lagoons, where there are weed-covered rocks on sandy substrates.[2]

Dendochirus brachypterus is a nocturnal predator of small crustaceans.[1] The adults are fequently found on sponges while small aggregations of up to 10 juveniles frequent reef outcrops.[2] During the day it is known to shelter in caves and crevices and among sponges .[6] The males and females form pairs to mate and the females have specialised structures on the ovaries, these includeg stalk-like egg creating lamellae and secretory cells in the epithelium.[2] The dorsal fin spines are venomous.[6]

Dendochirus brachypterus is used as a food fish in some subsistence fisheries.[1] It is occasionally seen in the aquarium trade,[8] it has laid eggs in captivity but raising the young has proved very difficult.[9]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Dendrochirus brachypterus.

• http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=218052
• Photos of Dendrochirus brachypterus on Sealife Collection