Synchiropus monacanthus, also commonly known as the deep-water dragonet or the South African bigeye dragonet, is a species of Syngnathiform fish that belongs to the dragonet family Callionymidae.Fricke, Ronald & Anderson, M.. (2022). Family Callionymidae, Dragonets. Pp. 444-466, pls. 163-168. In: Heemstra, P. C. et al. (eds.): Coastal fishes of the western Indian Ocean. Volume 4. South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity, Grahamstown, South Africa..
Distribution The range of Synchiropus monacanthus is known from scattered records and is poorly documented throughout much of its range. This species is distributed in both the western and eastern Indian Ocean and the south-eastern Atlantic Ocean. This range includes Tanzania, Zanzibar, Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Port Alfred in South Africa and the Socotra Archipelago.Fricke, R., 1986. Callionymidae. p. 770-774. In M.M. Smith and P.C. Heemstra (eds.) Smiths' sea fishes. Springer-Verlag, Berlin.
They can be found on muddy or soft bottoms in deep-water habitats at depths of 175 to 549 meters.
Description This species reaches a length of . Their bodies are slender or elongated with a single yet prominent preopercular spine. They have a greenish and reddish brown to dark brown upper body with it being whitish from below. The species is known for its distinct fin morphology. They have elongated filaments on the first dorsal fin. Males have a higher first dorsal fin with different coloration than females. The caudal fin in adult males is likely longer but more pointed in females.Fricke, Ronald. (1983). Revision of the Indo-Pacific Genera and Species of the Dragonet Family Callionymidae (Teleostei). The fins have violet streaks distally.
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