Dragonets
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Dragonets

The Dragonet fish is a family of small, vibrantly colored saltwater fish. With over 130 species identified, only a handful of which have been successfully kept by marine aquarists. Is it a Dragonet or is it a goby? Their long, scale-less bodies are often vibrantly colored and adorned with intricate patterns. Although often considered as one of the most beautiful species of saltwater fish in the marine aquarium hobby, they are also one of the hardest to keep alive and require the care of an experienced hobbyist. Originating from the tropical regions of the Indo-Pacific Ocean, its great to see there has been some success in tank raising a few species. The popularity is easily understood. With their vibrant colors, they come in dazzling shades of red, orange, yellow, blue, green, grey, brown, black and white. To do the best aquascape your aquarium to have a large amount of live rock on which the fish can graze along with caves and crevices in which they can hide. They will also spend a significant amount of time resting on the aquarium bottom and should be provided with a soft sand substrate. One of the most challenging aspects of keeping dragonets is their very specific dietary food requirements. Most dragonet species will only eat live food and will often starve rather than accept processed or dried foods. The best method found to feed is to have a refugium attached to the main aquarium which set up correctly will provide a steady supply of the necessary live food.

Wild Collected, Aquarium Conditioned
Blue Mandarin
Pterosynchiropus splendidus
Picture of Blue Mandarin
Identification: The Blue Mandarin also called the Green Mandarin, Green Mandarin Dragonet, or Psychedelic Mandarin fish can simply not be confused with any other fish. It has arguably the most attractive coloration and pattern of any commonly kept reef fish. The scale-less body of the fish is a blue or green color which has orange wavy lines across it. The tail is bright red with blue edging. Other colors can be found in the pattern as well. Mandarins help to prevent brown flatworm infestations, which can be trouble for some reef aquariums. The Mandarinfish will hover and scoot around your reef aquarium without bothering any corals,clams,or nvertebrates. It is best kept with other docile fishes in a community reef aquarium.

Tank Recommendations: The minimum tank requirement is generally stated as 30 gallon or larger with live sand and live rock. This is based on feeding requirements and not space requirements as the Mandarin is a very slow, docile fish. It requires an established reef aquarium with plenty of live copepods available to feed on. You can supplement its diet with live copepods from AlgaGen called Tisbe Copepods. Adding a refugium to your system will once established, provide an excellent source of live food.

Food and diet: Feed Frozen Cyclops, along with a 360-520 micron dry food mix and live foods copepods to feed on. You can supplement its diet with live copepods from AlgaGen called Tisbe Copepods. Adding a refugium to your system will once established, provide an excellent source of live food.

Level of Care: Moderate

Acclimaton Time: 2+ hours

Reef Compatibility: Reef Aquarium

Approximate Purchase Size: Medium: 1-1/2" to 2-1/2"; Large: 2-1/2" to 3"; XLarge: 3+"




Medium $29.99 Large $39.99 XLarge $49.99 Male/Female Mated Pr. $89.99



Captive Bred
Blue Mandarin
Pterosynchiropus splendidus
Picture of Blue Mandarin, Captive Bred
Identification: The Captive Bred Blue Mandarin has been successfuly bred in small amounts since 2002. Also called the Green Mandarin, Green Mandarin Dragonet, or Psychedelic Mandarin fish can simply not be confused with any other fish. It has arguably the most attractive coloration and pattern of any commonly kept reef fish. The scale-less body of the fish is a blue or green color which has orange wavy lines across it. The tail is bright red with blue edging. Other colors can be found in the pattern as well. Mandarins help to prevent brown flatworm infestations, which can be trouble for some reef aquariums. The Mandarinfish will hover and scoot around your reef aquarium without bothering any corals,clams,or nvertebrates. It is best kept with other docile fishes in a community reef aquarium.

Tank Recommendations: The minimum tank requirement is generally stated as 30 gallon or larger with live sand and live rock. This is based on feeding requirements and not space requirements as the Mandarin is a very slow, docile fish. It requires an established reef aquarium with plenty of live copepods available to feed on. You can supplement its diet with live copepods from AlgaGen called Tisbe Copepods. Adding a refugium to your system will once established, provide an excellent source of live food.

Food and diet: Feed Frozen Cyclops, along with a 360-520 micron dry food mix and live foods copepods to feed on. You can supplement its diet with live copepods from AlgaGen called Tisbe Copepods. Adding a refugium to your system will once established, provide an excellent source of live food.

Level of Care: Moderate

Acclimaton Time: 2+ hours

Reef Compatibility: Reef Aquarium

Approximate Purchase Size: Medium: 1" to 1-1/2"




$149.99



Wild Collected, Aquarium Conditioned
Target Mandarin
Synchiropus picturatus
Picture of Target Mandarin also called Spotted Mandarin
Identification: One of the most dramatically colored saltwater fish, the Target Mandarinfish , also called the Yellow Target Mandarin fish, or the Yellow Mandarin Goby. Though this animal is commonly referred to as a goby, this name is misleading. The Yellow Target Mandarin is a Dragonet in the family Callionymidae. Mandarinfish require an established reef aquarium for survival. It will feed on tiny invertebrates from the live sand and live rock, and does benefit from additional food supplied by refugiums. This fish will also help to prevent brown flatworm infestations, which can be trouble for some reef aquariums. The Mandarin fish will hover and scoot around your reef aquarium without bothering any corals, clams, or invertebrates. It is best kept with other docile fishes in a community reef aquarium. The Mandarin requires an established reef aquarium with plenty of live copepods to feed on. You can supplement its diet with Arctic Pods and live copepods. Adding a refugium to your system will also provide a continued source of live food.

Tank Recommendations: The minimum tank requirement is generally stated as 30 gallon with 50lbs or more of live rock. This is based on feeding requirements and not space requirements as the Mandarin is a very slow, docile fish. Perhaps more important than tank size is how heavily fed and nutrient rich a tank is, since this type of tank will generally support a higher copepod population than tanks run under more lean conditions. Due to the specific food needs of mandarin fish we request they only be placed in well established aquariums with plenty of live copepods available to feed on.

Food and diet: Feed Frozen Cyclops, along with a 360-520 micron dry food mix and live foods copepods to feed on. You can supplement its diet with live copepods from AlgaGen called Tisbe Copepods. Adding a refugium to your system will once established, provide an excellent source of live food.

Level of Care: Moderate

Acclimaton Time: 2+ hours

Reef Compatibility: Reef Aquarium

Approximate Purchase Size: Small: 1" to 1-1/2"; Medium: 1-1/2" to 2"; Large: 2" to 3"

Small $29.99 Medium $39.99 Large $49.99


Wild Collected, Aquarium Conditioned
Ruby Red Dragonette
Synchiropus sycorax

Identification: A stunning fish called the Ruby Red Dragonet of the genus Synchiropus has made a big splash in aquariums around the world. The Dragonet family of fish are small fish that are naturally found hopping around reefs. These fish have small protruding mouths designed for capturing microfauna, similar to Mandarin dragonets do. Although there's still a lot of speculation of the Ruby's exact species, WE DO KNOW that it is off-the-hook gorgeous reef fish. The brilliant ruby color body is punctuated by small distinct white spots, bright yellow pelvic fins that are highly contrasted by a dark black spot on the gill cover. As an added bonus the male Ruby Red Dragonet has noticeable dark diagonal striping in the dorsal fin as well as metallic blue spots on the face under the eyes. They make an excellent addition to reef tanks.

Tank Recommendations: The minimum tank requirement is generally stated as 20 gallon with 50lbs or more of live rock. This is based on feeding requirements and not space requirements as the Ruby Red Dragonet is a very slow, docile fish. Perhaps more important than tank size is how heavily fed and nutrient rich a tank is, since this type of tank will generally support a higher copepod population than tanks run under more lean conditions. Due to the specific food needs of Dragonet fish we request they only be placed in well established aquariums with plenty of live copepods available to feed on.

Food and diet: Feed Frozen Cyclops, along with a 360-520 micron dry food mix and live foods copepods to feed on. You can supplement its diet with live copepods from AlgaGen called Tisbe Copepods. Adding a refugium to your system will once established, provide an excellent source of live food.

Level of Care: Moderate

Acclimaton Time: 2+ hours

Reef Compatibility: Reef Aquarium

Approximate Purchase Size: 1" to 1-1/2"
Female $41.99 Male $41.99
Male/Female Mated Pair $89.99

Wild Collected, Aquarium Conditioned
Scooter Blenny
Synchiropus ocellatus
Picture of Scooter Blenny
Identification: The Scooter Blenny is also referred to as the Starry Dragonet or Stellate Dragonet. Scooter Blenny's are actually classed as Dragonets, which also includes the ever popular Green and Spotted Mandarin Goby. These fish are more suited to a reef type tank, as they scoot around the liverock, and live sand looking for small Amphipods and Copepods. Males are easily identified by their large dorsal fin which they will display mainly when courting and in territorial disputes. More than one of its species may be kept; if so, it is best to introduce them all to the tank at the same time.


Tank Recommendations: Keep in a 30 gallon or larger tank containing plenty of live rock and live sand which can supply natural food. A growth of algae (even hair algae) is an ideal setting to culture the tiny arthropods and copepods these fish need to survive. Keep with docile inhabitants only, no aggressive fish. This species is rarely aggressive towards other bottom-dwelling fish. More than one of its species may be kept; if so, it is best to introduce them all to the tank at the same time. The ratio should be 2 or 3 females per male.


Food and diet: Provide a reef tank or plenty of live rock. They are slow-moving, deliberate feeders and should not have to compete for their food. The Scooter Blenny will sift through the sand looking for food. Algagen Tisbe biminiensis is excellent for all. Finely cut meaty foods and vitamin-enriched brine shrimp may also be acceptable substitutes.


Level of Care: Easy


Acclimaton Time: 1+ hours


Reef Compatibility: Reef or Community Aquarium


Approximate Purchase Size: 1-1/2" to 2-1/4"








$29.99



Wild Collected, Aquarium Conditioned
Red Scooter Blenny
Synchiropus stellatus
Picture of ed Scooter Blenny
Identification: The Red Scooter Blenny is also referred to as the Red Starry Dragonet or Red Stellate Dragonet. Scooter Blenny's are actually classed as Dragonets, which also includes the ever popular Green and Spotted Mandarin Goby. These fish are more suited to a reef type tank, as they scoot around the liverock, and live sand looking for small Amphipods and Copepods. Males are easily identified by their large dorsal fin which they will display mainly when courting and in territorial disputes. More than one of its species may be kept; if so, it is best to introduce them all to the tank at the same time.

Tank Recommendations: Keep in a 30 gallon or larger tank containing plenty of live rock and live sand which can supply natural food. A growth of algae (even hair algae) is an ideal setting to culture the tiny arthropods and copepods these fish need to survive. Keep with docile inhabitants only, no aggressive fish. This species is rarely aggressive towards other bottom-dwelling fish. More than one of its species may be kept; if so, it is best to introduce them all to the tank at the same time. The ratio should be 2 or 3 females per male.

Food and diet: Provide a reef tank or plenty of live rock. They are slow-moving, deliberate feeders and should not have to compete for their food. The Scooter Blenny will sift through the sand looking for food. Algagen Tisbe biminiensis is excellent for all. Finely cut meaty foods and vitamin-enriched brine shrimp may also be acceptable substitutes.

Level of Care: Easy

Acclimaton Time: 1+ hours

Reef Compatibility: Reef or Community Aquarium

Approximate Purchase Size: 1-1/2" to 2-1/4"






$39.99




Copyright 2021 Aquarium Creations Online
Photos are representative of each species. All marine life will be unique and variations should be expected, color and sizes may vary.