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DANAQUA

Scooter Dragonet / Red Marbled Dragonet

Scooter Dragonet / Red Marbled Dragonet

$49.99
$59.99 $49.99
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SALThe Scooter Dragonet, specifically the Red Marbled Dragonet (Synchiropus stellatus), is a colorful, bottom-dwelling marine fish known for its mottled red, white, and burgundy patterns and distinctive "scooting" swimming style. Males are typically brighter with a larger, more ornate dorsal fin. These fish are passive, slow-moving feeders with a specialized diet of copepods and amphipods, making them difficult to care for unless the aquarium is well-established and rich in live food sources. 
Appearance

  • Coloration:A mottled mix of red, white, and burgundy with starry or blotchy patterns. 
  • Size:Can grow to about 3 inches in length. 
  • Dorsal Fin:Males have a large, sail-like, and more colorful first dorsal fin compared to females. 
  • Eyes:Top-mounted eyes are a prominent feature. 
Behavior

  • Swimming:They move by "scooting" or hopping along the tank bottom rather than active swimming. 
  • Feeding:Slow, deliberate, and passive feeders that primarily hunt small crustaceans and zooplankton. 
  • Temperament:Peaceful, docile, and reef-compatible, but should not have to compete with more aggressive tank mates for food. 
Care & Habitat

  • Tank Size:A 30-gallon or larger tank is recommended for a single fish, and larger tanks are needed for groups. 
  • Tank Environment:Requires a well-established aquarium with plenty of live rock and live sand to provide ample grazing areas and a natural food source. 
  • Diet:A stable population of live copepods and amphipods is crucial for their long-term health. They may be acclimated to frozen or pellet foods but require frequent feeding. 
  • Tank Mates:Peaceful fish that are compatible with other docile inhabitants. More than one male may require a 55-gallon or larger tank. 
Important Considerations

  • Difficulty:Considered difficult to keep due to their specific dietary needs and slow metabolism. 
  • Established Tank:Never introduce a scooter dragonet into a newly set-up aquarium; it needs at least 6-8 months to build up a sufficient population of live foods. 
  • Sexing:Males can be confidently identified by their brighter colors and larger dorsal fins once they reach about 1 inch in size. 
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