Ruby red dragonet
Synchiropus sycorax
Also known as Ruby Dragonet, Ruby Red Scooter Dragonet, Sycorax Dragonet
SaltwaterFish
Care at a glance
- Temperature
- 73–81°F
- 23–27°C
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- Adult size
- 2.4 in
- 6 cm
- Minimum tank
- 53 gal
- 200 L
- Temperament
- Peaceful
- Social behavior
- Solitary
- Tankmates
- With caution
- Swim level
- Bottom
- Difficulty
- Difficult
- Breeding
- Hard
- Rarity
- Rare
- Reef safe
- Reef safe
- Family
- Callionymidae
- Origin
- Described from the Philippines in 2016, living on deeper rubble and sponge habitat in the western Pacific.
Overview
This is a difficult fish that needs an established 200 litre or larger reef tank, at least six months mature, kept at 23 to 27 C and pH 8.1 to 8.4. It feeds almost entirely on live copepods and amphipods, so a refugium or regular pod additions are important, and many specimens never accept frozen food. It is completely reef safe and harmless to corals and clams. Keep one male per tank, as males fight.
In the wild
The ruby red dragonet is a small, bottom hugging fish that hops across rock and rubble hunting tiny animals. Males are deep red with tall fins, while females are more muted. It picks copepods and other micro crustaceans one at a time all day long. It needs a mature tank with live rock and sand that grows a steady supply of pods.
Good to know
Synchiropus sycorax is a dragonet in the family Callionymidae, described only in 2016. Its species name refers to Sycorax, a witch mentioned in Shakespeare's play The Tempest. Like other dragonets it lacks scales and instead has thick, slightly slimy skin.
Did you know
It is one of the smallest dragonets in the hobby, and its need for live pods makes a thriving sand bed and refugium essential to keeping it alive.
Common questions
What size tank does a Ruby red dragonet need?
A Ruby red dragonet needs at least 53 gal (200 L). It spends most of its time in the bottom.
What temperature and pH does a Ruby red dragonet need?
A Ruby red dragonet is comfortable at 73–81°F (23–27°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.
How big does a Ruby red dragonet get?
An adult Ruby red dragonet reaches about 2.4 in (6 cm).
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