Description:

Dorsal spines: 13; Dorsal rays: 9-10; Anal spines: 3; Anal rays: 5-6

A robust full-bodied fish with large fan-shaped pectoral fins and prominent, long dorsal spines. Mid-dorsal spines shorter than body depth. The pectoral
fin rays lack filaments. There is a short tentacle above the eye and variably-developed leafy appendages on the head and along the lateral line.

Colour: A mottled reddish-brown with darker bars on the body, 8-10 distinct bands on the pectoral fins. Small black spots edged with red on the filaments 
extending from the dorsal spines.
 

Maturity: Lm Unknown. Max length: 17.0 cm TL.
 

Inhabits reef flats and seagrass beds in shallow lagoons, associated with weed covered rocky substrates (1-80 m). Nocturnal, shelters in caves, crevices, 
under ledges or amongst sponges during the day. Solitary or in small groups. Forms pairs during courtship. Feeds on small crustaceans.

This species is not protected or subject to fishery regulations. It is not subject to the artisanal fishery.
 

Venomous. Do not touch! Dorsal fin spines are venomous and can cause very painful injury.
Photographed off Curieuse Island, Seychelles.

ALA. Dendrochirus brachypterus (Cuvier, 1829). https://bie.ala.org.au/species/https://biodiversity.org.au/afd/taxa/81aaaeef-55ff-4cf6-95ad-6757767fb7d1 (28/09/22). 
Bray, D.J. (2017). Dendrochirus brachypterus in Fishes of Australia, https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/3209 (28/09/22). 
Froese, R. & D. Pauly. (Eds.) (2022). FishBase. https://www.fishbase.se/summary/4912 (28/09/22).  
Mason-Parker, C. et al. (2021). Dendrochirus brachypterus in Reef Fishes of Seychelles. John Beaufoy Publishing Ltd, UK.
Motomura, H. & Matsuura, K. (2016). Dendrochirus brachypterus. The IUCN Red List 2016: https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T69793633A69800927.en. (28/09/22).
 

Mason-Parker, C. & Nevill, J.E.G. (2022). Dendrochirus brachypterus , Dwarf lionfish. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/dendrochirus-brachypterus-cuvier-1829/