Ruby Red Dragonet (Synchiropus sycorax)

The Ruby Red Dragonet (Synchiropus sycorax) is a jewel of a reef fish, with a deep ruby-red body, mottled white speckling, and bright yellow pelvic fins edged in black. Peaceful and completely reef safe, it spends its day hopping and scooting across the rockwork hunting tiny prey. This is a specialist eater best suited to a mature, established reef. Pair it with the rest of our saltwater livestock selection.

Care Guide

• Established tank required: Best kept in a mature reef of at least 6 months old with plenty of live rock and sand. A healthy resident population of copepods and amphipods is what keeps this fish thriving.
• Aquarium: 20 gallons or larger for a single fish, or 40 gallons or more for a pair. Provide rockwork and open sand for grazing.
• Tight-fitting lid: Dragonets are known to jump and "scoot" through small gaps around tubes and cords. A secure, tightly fitting lid is strongly recommended.
• Water quality: Keep parameters stable. Target 72 to 78°F, pH 8.1 to 8.4, specific gravity 1.020 to 1.025, and dKH 8 to 12.
• Diet: Carnivore that grazes on live copepods and amphipods all day. Keep the pod population topped up, and supplement with finely chopped mysis and enriched brine shrimp. Many specimens learn to accept prepared foods over time.

Specifications

Tank Mates & Compatibility

The Ruby Red Dragonet is one of the most peaceful reef fish in the hobby and gets along with nearly everyone. Pair it with other calm, non-aggressive fish that will not out-compete it for food. Good companions we carry include:

• Wyoming White Clownfish
• Banggai Cardinal
• Purple Firefish Goby

Keep just one dragonet per tank unless the system is large and pod-rich, and avoid mandarins or other dragonets that compete for the same food. Skip aggressive or fast-feeding fish that would beat it to every meal.

Recommended Foods & Supplies

• Bulldawg Copepod Mix live marine pods to seed and maintain the population
• Reef Nutrition Tigger Feast live Tigriopus copepods
• Adaptive Reef Copepod Habitat to culture pods in your sump or refugium
• Freeze-Dried Mysis Shrimp for supplemental feeding
• Browse all marine fish nutrition

FAQ

Is the Ruby Red Dragonet reef safe?
Yes, completely. It will not harm corals, clams, or invertebrates, making it a perfect jewel for a peaceful reef tank.

What does it eat?
It is a copepod and amphipod specialist. A mature tank with a strong pod population is the key to long-term success. Supplement with live copepods and finely chopped mysis, and many will eventually take prepared foods.

Does it need a lid?
Yes. Dragonets jump and scoot, so a secure, tightly fitting lid is strongly recommended to keep it safely in the tank.

Is it good for beginners?
It is best for hobbyists with an established reef. The fish itself is hardy and peaceful, but it depends on a mature tank with a healthy copepod population to feed.