Description:

Dorsal spines: 4; Dorsal rays: 8; Anal spines: 0; Anal rays: 7.

Terminal mouth with protuberent lips. Mouth protrusible. Large eyes that project above dorsal profile. Preopercular spine  with an accessory spine on 
dorsal margin. Anal fin rays branched.

Colour. Body mottled pink or gold above with silvery spots between characteristic dark sepia stellate blotches, silvery with dark red spots ventrally. 
Pelvic fins with 2 dark patches. First Dorsal fin in males with lines and ocelli, in females black with a white distal margin.  
 

Size:

Maturity: Unknown. Max length : 7.5 cm TL.
 

Habitat and Ecology:

Inhabits coastal protected waters among coral reefs on rubble or algal covered rocks (depth 5-40 m, usually 10-20 m).
 

Fishery Status:

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

Notes:

Photo courtesy Eleanor Brighton and Chris Mason-Parker (c) 2022 Blue Safari Seychelles/Marine Conservation Society, Seychelles. Photograph taken at Alphonse group 2022.
 

References:

Froese, R. & D. Pauly. (Eds.) (2022). FishBase. https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Synchiropus-stellatus.html (09/09/22).
Smith, M. & Heemstra, P. (Eds.) (1999). Smiths’ Sea Fishes Edition 6. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 10.1007/978-3-642-82858-4 

Citation:

Nevill, J.E.G., Brighton, E. & Mason-Parker, C. (2019). Synchiropus stellatus, Starry dragonet. Seychelles Seatizens. www.seatizens.sc. https://seatizens.sc/species/synchiropus-stellatus-smith-1963/