{"product_id":"ocellated-scooter-dragonet-synchiropus-ocellatus-saltwater","title":"Ocellated Scooter Dragonet (Synchiropus ocellatus)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E0F7FA;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Ocellated Scooter Dragonet (\u003cem\u003eSynchiropus ocellatus\u003c\/em\u003e), often sold as the Scooter Blenny, is a peaceful, reef-safe bottom-dweller that \"scoots\" across the sand and rockwork hunting tiny crustaceans. Its mottled brown camouflage, oversized cartoonish eyes, and big fan-like fins make it one of the most entertaining personalities in a mature reef. Hardy and disease-resistant once settled, it is an intermediate-level fish whose long-term success depends on a steady supply of live pods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePair it with the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fish\"\u003esaltwater fish\u003c\/a\u003e, or browse the full \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/salt-water\"\u003esaltwater livestock and reef supplies\u003c\/a\u003e selection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMature tank required:\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep only in an established reef at least 6 months old with plenty of live rock and a deep sand bed. These surfaces are where copepods and amphipods breed, and pods are this fish's main food.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e A natural micro-predator that grazes all day on copepods, amphipods, and other tiny crustaceans. Many specimens can be trained onto frozen mysis, baby brine, and fine pellets, but a thriving pod population is the real key to keeping one healthy. Seeding the tank with live copepods is strongly recommended.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater quality:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hold stable reef parameters: temperature 72 to 78°F, pH 8.1 to 8.4, salinity 1.020 to 1.025. They dislike sudden swings, so a seasoned, lightly stocked system suits them best.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBehavior:\u003c\/strong\u003e Spends the day perched on rock and sand, hopping from spot to spot. Slow and deliberate, it should never have to compete with fast, greedy eaters at feeding time.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRefugium bonus:\u003c\/strong\u003e An attached refugium or pod shelter keeps the food chain replenished and dramatically improves survival.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;margin:6px 0 4px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eOcellated Scooter Dragonet (Scooter Blenny)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eSynchiropus ocellatus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare Level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePeaceful\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eCarnivore (copepods, amphipods, micro-crustaceans)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMax Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAbout 3.5 inches (9 cm)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e30 gallons, mature and well established\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Temp\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e72 to 78°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e8.1 to 8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSalinity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e1.020 to 1.025\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eWestern Pacific\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePickup\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIn-store only\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Scooter Dragonet is peaceful and reef-safe, ignoring corals and ornamental invertebrates. The trick is making sure it gets enough to eat.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGood tankmates:\u003c\/strong\u003e clownfish, firefish, small gobies, cardinalfish, royal grammas, and other slow, peaceful feeders.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUse caution:\u003c\/strong\u003e avoid fast or greedy fish such as large wrasses, hawkfish, and dottybacks that will out-compete it at mealtime.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePod competition:\u003c\/strong\u003e house only one dragonet or mandarin per tank unless the system is large and mature enough to feed several.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/nutramar-tigrio-live-copepods-4oz-saltwater-reef-food\"\u003eNutramar Tigrio Live Copepods\u003c\/a\u003e to seed and replenish the tank's pod population\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/bulldawg-copepod-mix-live-marine-pods\"\u003eBulldawg Copepod Mix\u003c\/a\u003e, a live marine pod blend made for mandarins and dragonets\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/adaptive-reef-copepod-habitat-sump-refugium-shelter\"\u003eAdaptive Reef Copepod Habitat\u003c\/a\u003e to keep pods breeding in your sump or refugium\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/af-liquid-mysis-250ml\"\u003eAquaforest Liquid Mysis\u003c\/a\u003e as a supplemental target-feed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMore \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/salt-water\"\u003esaltwater livestock and reef supplies\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the Scooter Dragonet reef safe?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. It will not touch corals, clams, or ornamental shrimp. It only hunts tiny crustaceans like copepods and amphipods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does it eat?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePrimarily live copepods and amphipods. Most can be coaxed onto frozen mysis and baby brine over time, but a healthy live pod population is what keeps them fat and active long term.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it the same as a Mandarin?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThey are close relatives in the same genus. The Scooter Dragonet is hardier and more willing to accept prepared foods, which makes it a great first dragonet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat size tank does it need?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAt least 30 gallons, and the tank should be mature, with live rock and a sand bed that supports a steady pod supply.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Medium","offer_id":48892819964123,"sku":"1125237","price":25.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/image_6a779ca9-906a-4ec0-97a6-a871d082dbcc.jpg?v=1781960863","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/ocellated-scooter-dragonet-synchiropus-ocellatus-saltwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}