Ruby Red Dragonet – Synchiropus sp.

Several possible scientific names have been proposed as being the true ID of the new-to-the-trade Ruby Red Dragonet but none are completely agreed-upon by the scientific community yet. It is thought to be a regional variation or a deepwater variation of one of these species but seems to share traits of several. They have only recently entered the aquarium trade and are still fairly rare finds.

Dragonets are bottom-dwelling fish with colorations that often resemble the substrate they are found around. They have flattened bodies with pointed faces designed for picking food like small crustaceans, copepods, amphipods and similar prey out of rockwork. They often have difficulty adapting to prepared food in the aquarium and should only be kept int well established tanks with lots of live rock and a healthy, populated sandbed to feed on. Dragonets are generally peaceful, docile fish. They move in short \