Starry Dragonet
From Microcosm Aquarium Explorer
This dragonet needs an aquarium with live substrates on live rock or in live sand to ensure that it gets enough to eat. Scott W. Michael
[edit] Overview
This charming little dragonet is very meticulous when locating and handling its prey. It will typically sit and inspect the food item for a few seconds before ingesting it, allowing more voracious feeders, like dottyback, wrasses, goatfishes, butterflyfishes, and angelfishes, to snatch it right out from under its nose.
Other common name(s):
Native range:
Habitat: This species is found on rubble or algal-covered rocks in coastal protected reefs.
Maximum length: 6 cm (2 in)
Minimum aquarium size: 76 L (20 gal)
Water: Marine 24 °C (297 K, 75 °F) - 28 °C (301 K, 82 °F)
[edit] Feeding
It will eat black worms, live brine shrimp, and mysid shrimp. Target feeding is often needed to ensure it gets enough to eat. Feed three times per day in a tank without live sand.
[edit] Aquarium Compatibility
A male can be housed with one or more females in a larger tank, but males are prone to fighting. It may also be picked on by larger congeners.
[edit] Special Care
Keep in a tank with live sand, possibly with an attached refugium.
[edit] Notes
It has long been known that the best way to keep dragonets healthy is to keep them in a thriving reef tank where they can graze on tiny live prey in the sand and on the live rock.
| Common name | Starry Dragonet + |
| Genus | Synchiropus + |
| Image credit | SWM + |
| Maximum length | 2 in + |
| Minimum aquarium size | 20 gal + |
| Native range | Indian Ocean +, East Africa +, and Sumatra + |
| Reference | A PocketExpert Guide to Reef Aquarium Fishes + |
| Specific name | stellatus + |
| Text credit | SWM + |
| Water max temp | 301 K (28 °C, 82 °F) + |
| Water min temp | 297 K (24 °C, 75 °F) + |
| Water type | Marine + |