Finger Dragonet
From Microcosm Aquarium Explorer
This dragonet is an eyecatching beauty for the reef aquarium. Scott W. Michael
[edit] Overview
This larger, active dragonet will need to be kept in a smaller reef aquarium with little live rock or a larger reef with plenty of open sand bottom. When threatened or at night, it will partially bury in the sand.
Family: Callionymidae
Other common name(s):
Native range:
Habitat: This species inhabits protected sand and mud flats and slopes and lives on sand-weed bottoms.
Maximum length: 18 cm (7 in)
Minimum aquarium size: 114 L (30 gal)
Water: Marine 24 °C (297 K, 75 °F) - 28 °C (301 K, 82 °F)
[edit] Feeding
Keep in a tank with a bed of well-established live sand, possibly with an attached refugium. It will also eat black worms, live brine shrimp, and mysid shrimp. Target feeding is often needed to ensure it gets enough to eat. Use a turkey baster or pipette to direct food toward the fish. Feed three times per day in a tank without live sand.
[edit] Aquarium Compatibility
Keep only one per tank and do not house with other small sand-dwelling dragonets. The high dorsal fin is a likely target of fin-nippers.
[edit] Notes
To ensure success with this fish, try to avoid tankmates that will gobble up all the appropriate food before the dragonet gets an opportunity to feed.
| Common name | Finger Dragonet + |
| Family | Callionymidae + |
| Genus | Dactylopus + |
| Image credit | SWM + |
| Maximum length | 7 in + |
| Minimum aquarium size | 30 gal + |
| Native range | Western Pacific +, Japan +, Northwestern Australia +, and Eastern Indian Ocean + |
| Reference | A PocketExpert Guide to Reef Aquarium Fishes + |
| Specific name | dactylopus + |
| Text credit | SWM + |
| Water max temp | 301 K (28 °C, 82 °F) + |
| Water min temp | 297 K (24 °C, 75 °F) + |
| Water type | Marine + |