{"product_id":"ruby-red-scooter-dragonet-synchiropus-sycorax-saltwater","title":"Ruby Red Scooter Dragonet (Synchiropus sycorax)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;color:#1a1a1a;max-width:860px;line-height:1.7;\"\u003e\n\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 \u003cstrong\u003eRuby Red Scooter Dragonet\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eSynchiropus sycorax\u003c\/em\u003e) is a small, deep red reef fish speckled with white, with bright yellow fins marked by a black band. It spends the day hopping and scooting over rock and sand, picking off copepods and other tiny crustaceans one at a time. Peaceful and completely reef safe, it is a great fit for a mature reef with a healthy pod population. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/salt-water\"\u003esaltwater livestock and supplies\u003c\/a\u003e and all of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/fish\"\u003efish\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou will often see it sold as a \"Scooter Blenny.\" That name is a trade misnomer. It is not a blenny at all but a dragonet, family Callionymidae, the same family as the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/green-mandarin-goby-synchiropus-splendidus-saltwater\"\u003eGreen Mandarin\u003c\/a\u003e. That matters, because blenny care advice does not apply: dragonets are slow, bottom-dwelling micro-predators that need a steady supply of live food. The good news is that this species is noticeably easier than a Mandarin, and many individuals learn to eat frozen foods.\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 an established reef, ideally 6 months or older, with plenty of live rock and a resident population of copepods and amphipods. A refugium that grows pods out of the fish's reach is a big advantage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 30 gallons or larger for one fish. Pod supply matters more than volume, and bigger, older systems produce more pods.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e seed the tank with \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/bulldawg-copepod-mix-live-marine-pods\"\u003elive copepods\u003c\/a\u003e regularly and feed phytoplankton so the pods keep breeding. Most Ruby Reds will learn frozen foods such as cyclops, baby brine shrimp, and finely chopped mysis. Target feed with a baster in a low-flow spot so faster fish do not get there first.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWatch the belly:\u003c\/strong\u003e a well-fed dragonet has a gently rounded profile. A pinched or hollow belly means it is not getting enough, and it is time to add pods or target feed more often.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater:\u003c\/strong\u003e 72 to 78°F, salinity 1.020 to 1.025, pH 8.1 to 8.4. Keep parameters stable.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLid:\u003c\/strong\u003e recommended. Dragonets can jump and will find gaps around plumbing and cords.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOne male per tank:\u003c\/strong\u003e males carry a taller, more elaborate first dorsal fin and will fight each other.\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%;max-width:640px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eRuby Red Scooter Dragonet, Ruby Red Dragonet, Ruby Scooter, Red Scooter Blenny (misnomer)\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 sycorax\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\u003eFamily\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eCallionymidae (dragonets), not a blenny\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, Philippines\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, because of diet\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, males territorial with each other\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\u003eMax size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAbout 2 to 3 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum tank\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e30 gallons, mature with live rock\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\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\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\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eCarnivore, live copepods and amphipods, often learns frozen foods\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 pickup at Squeaky's Aquatics\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\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\u003eAggression is never the problem with this fish; competition for food is. It does well with calm reef fish that feed in the water column, such as \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/ocellaris-clownfish-amphiprion-ocellaris-saltwater\"\u003eOcellaris Clownfish\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/purple-firefish-goby-nemateleotris-decora-saltwater\"\u003ePurple Firefish Gobies\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/banggai-cardinalfish-pterapogon-kauderni-saltwater\"\u003eBanggai Cardinalfish\u003c\/a\u003e. Corals, clams, snails, and cleaner shrimp are all safe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvoid pod hunters that strip the same food supply, especially six line wrasses and other small wrasses, and avoid fast, greedy feeders that beat it to every meal. Keep only one male, and do not combine it with other dragonets like the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/green-mandarin-goby-synchiropus-splendidus-saltwater\"\u003eGreen Mandarin\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/spotted-mandarin-goby-synchiropus-picturatus-saltwater\"\u003eSpotted Mandarin\u003c\/a\u003e, or \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/ocellated-scooter-dragonet-synchiropus-ocellatus-saltwater\"\u003eOcellated Scooter Dragonet\u003c\/a\u003e unless the system is large and pod production is clearly surplus.\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;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/bulldawg-copepod-mix-live-marine-pods\"\u003eBulldawg Copepod Mix\u003c\/a\u003e, live marine pods to seed and top up the population\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/reef-nutrition-tigger-pods-live\"\u003eReef Nutrition Tigger-Pods (Live)\u003c\/a\u003e, larger pods dragonets hunt readily\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/reef-nutrition-phyto-feast-live\"\u003eReef Nutrition Phyto-Feast Live\u003c\/a\u003e so your pods keep breeding\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 grow pods safely in your sump or refugium\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-cyclops-cube-3-5oz\"\u003eSFBB Frozen Cyclops\u003c\/a\u003e, a good first frozen food to train onto\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-baby-brine-shrimp-cube-1-75oz\"\u003eSFBB Frozen Baby Brine Shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e, small enough for its mouth\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 it a blenny or a dragonet?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eA dragonet. \"Scooter Blenny\" is an old trade name that stuck because of the way it scoots along the bottom. It belongs to the family Callionymidae with the Mandarins, and it should be cared for like a dragonet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it eat frozen food?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOften, yes. Ruby Reds are generally more willing to take frozen cyclops, baby brine, and finely chopped mysis than Mandarins are. Still, plan on a mature tank with pods and treat frozen acceptance as a big help rather than a guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan it go in a new tank?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo. A new tank has not built up the copepod population this fish depends on. Wait until the system is mature and you can see pods on the glass and rock at night.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it reef safe?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCompletely. It ignores corals, clams, and ornamental invertebrates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow is it different from the Green Mandarin?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSame family, smaller fish, and usually an easier eater. The Mandarin is graded advanced because it rarely takes prepared food. The Ruby Red is intermediate, but it still needs a pod-rich, established tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48354434449627,"sku":"SW3-SW0106","price":32.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/image_676ef87c-3642-4091-afc1-6bb2820eb5b7.png?v=1773322524","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/ruby-red-scooter-dragonet-synchiropus-sycorax-saltwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}