Kingdom Animalia Order Gasterosteiformes Genus Pegasus Higher classification Pegasus | Phylum Chordata Family Pegasidae Scientific name Pegasus laternarius Rank Species | |
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Similar Pegasidae, Longtail seamoth, Pegasus, Pegasus lancifer, Eurypegasus | ||
The brick seamoth, Pegasus laternarius, also known as the long-tailed dragonfish, long-tailed seamoth, pelagic dragon-fish, or the winged dragonfish, is a species of fish in the Pegasidae, or seamoth, family. This species is used extensively in the Guangdong Province of China to treat scrofula, cough, and diarrhea.
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Etymology
Their genus name, Pegasus is taken from the Greek mythological creature the Pegasus, or a winged horse of Perseus. Their species name, laternarius is derived from the Latin word later, meaning "made of bricks".
Description
P. laternarius grows up to 8 centimetres (3.1 in). They have a variety of colors but are mainly yellow to blue with a dark brown underside. Juveniles and females have a shorter rostrum than adult males.
Diet and Behavior
This species of seamoth is generally found in muddy bottoms around 50 metres (160 ft), while the larvae is planktonic. They rarely dive other than several places in Japan where they are found in sheltered muddy areas.
Distribution
It is found in China, Japan, Taiwan, and Thailand in the Indo-West Pacific ocean. The brick seamoth is found in depths from 30 metres (98 ft) to 100 metres (330 ft).