{"product_id":"red-scooter-dragonet","title":"Red Scooter Dragonet | Synchiropus stellatus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Red Scooter Dragonet (Synchiropus stellatus), also called the Starry Dragonet, is a charming, bottom-dwelling little fish that hops and scoots across the substrate hunting tiny prey. It is peaceful and reef safe, but like its mandarin relatives it is a specialised feeder best suited to a mature tank. It reaches around 7 cm.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSynchiropus stellatus is found across the Indo-Pacific on sheltered reefs and rubble zones, where it forages continuously over rock and sand for copepods and other micro-crustaceans. In the aquarium it needs a mature system with plenty of live rock and a productive pod population.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA small, camouflaged dragonet mottled in red, brown and cream that lets it blend into rock and rubble. Males have a taller, more colourful first dorsal fin. Though understated at a glance, it is full of character as it perches and hops about the reef.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eVery peaceful and reef safe, spending its time on the bottom out of the way of most fish. Males can be territorial with one another, so keep only one male per tank unless it is large. Avoid housing it with aggressive or fast-feeding fish that will outcompete it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is the key challenge. It feeds on live copepods and amphipods and can be reluctant to accept prepared foods. Keep it only in an aquarium at least six months mature, ideally with a refugium, and top up live pods regularly. Many will in time take frozen enriched brine, mysis and cyclops, but a food-poor tank will slowly starve it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of 115 L, with 150 L or larger recommended, and only in a well-established tank with a productive sand bed and rockwork. Maintain temperature at 24–27°C, pH 8.1–8.4 and salinity 1.023–1.025. Gentle to moderate flow and stable water suit it well.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBreeding is uncommon in home aquariums. Dragonets are pelagic spawners, rising in the water column to release eggs, and the tiny larvae need specialised live-food culture. Captive breeding is done commercially rather than at home.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSynchiropus stellatus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRed Scooter Dragonet (Starry Dragonet)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIndo-Pacific\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e7 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–5 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAdvanced (difficult feeder)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e115 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e150 L or larger, mature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore; live copepods and amphipods, often weaned onto frozen enriched brine, mysis and cyclops\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–27°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8.1–8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable for marine fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.023–1.025\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature, peaceful reef aquariums with a healthy pod population\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef safe; will not harm corals or clams\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable for marine fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include clownfish, small peaceful gobies, cardinalfish, fairy wrasses and other gentle reef species that will not compete heavily for pods.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with aggressive or fast-feeding fish, other dragonets or pod-hungry species in smaller tanks, and any predator large enough to eat it.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55234118844707,"sku":null,"price":110.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55234118877475,"sku":"AA2958","price":129.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Red_Scooter_Blenny_Synchiropus_stellatus_9e624cc1-92db-4853-8f58-6fbbabbc0c1f.jpg?v=1781681304","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/red-scooter-dragonet","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}