DRAGONET – RUBY Synchiropus sycorax
$49.99
The Ruby Dragonet, a species that was officially named in 2016, are native to the Philippines. While occasionally these fish may be referred to as gobies or blennies, they are not and belong to the dragonet family Callionymidae. The Ruby dragonet’s body is vibrant red-pink in color, with yellow pectoral fins. Dragonets are extremely popular among hobbyists for their coloration and interesting behavior, but having this fish in the home aquaria does not come easy. Dragonets have specific dietary requirements of live amphipods and copepods, and coaxing a Ruby dragonet to accept frozen-based foods can be challenging. Because of this, Ruby dragonets should not be put into an aquarium that is less than 6 – 8 months old, as this allows their natural, live food source ample time to populate in abundance (see tank requirements for further information about tank mates that could deplete these resources). Ruby dragonets can be confidently sexed after 1″; males tend to have a more elaborate and elongated first dorsal fin compared to females. An adult Ruby dragonet can reach a size of approximately 3″. The Ruby dragonet looks very similar to the Red Scooter Dragonet (Synchiropus stellatus), however this species’ color is not nearly as vibrant and their pectoral fins are white. Note: All of our Ruby dragonets have been through our 28 day quarantine process and are eating a combination of live brine shrimp and frozen foods, in addition to live copepods.
Care Level: Advanced
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
General Description: The Ruby Dragonet, a species that was officially named in 2016, are native to the Philippines. While ocassionally these fish may be referred to as gobies or blennies, they are not and belong to the dragonet family Callionymidae. The Ruby dragonet’s body is vibrant red-pink in color, with yellow pectoral fins. Dragonets are extremely popular among hobbyists for their coloration and interesting behavior, but having this fish in the home aquaria does not come easy. Dragonets have specific dietary requirements of live amphipods and copepods, and coaxing a Ruby dragonet to accept frozen-based foods can be challenging. Because of this, Ruby dragonets should not be put into an aquarium that is less than 6 – 8 months old, as this allows their natural, live food source ample time to populate in abundance (see tank requirements for further information about tank mates that could deplete these resources). Ruby dragonets can be confidently sexed after 1″; males tend to have a more elaborate and elongated first dorsal fin compared to females. An adult Ruby dragonet can reach a size of approximately 3″. The Ruby dragonet looks very similar to the Red Scooter Dragonet (Synchiropus stellatus), however this species’ color is not nearly as vibrant and their pectoral fins are white. Note: All of our Ruby dragonets have been through our 28 day quarantine process and are eating a combination of live brine shrimp and frozen foods, in addition to live copepods.
Diet Requirements: In the wild Ruby dragonets are carnivorous, continuously hunting and feeding on amphipods and copepods in live rock. It is absolutely imperative to have an established tank of at least 6 – 8 months old, and add live copepod cultures (or a live food of equal value) weekly or biweekly to keep this resource available to your mandarin. Ruby dragonets can be extremely stubborn with accepting frozen foods and some may never do so. Offering live adult brine shrimp or black worms can help bridge the transition to small frozen foods. If your Ruby dragonet does eat frozen foods, this does not replace the need for its natural food source (copepods). We highly encourage soaking frozen foods in vitamin and fatty acid supplements for the dragonet’s health and to maintain body mass.
Care Requirements: An establshed minimum 55 gallon aquarium is ideal to house a single Ruby dragonet; a pair would require more space. In smaller aquariums, the demand of the Ruby dragonet’s feeding behavior becomes more difficult to sustain. This fish cannot be put into a biologically immature aquarium. Dragonets absolutely need generous live rock for feeding and some crevices to take refuge. Male Ruby dragonets will conflict with each other; keep one per aquarum or a single male-female pair. Do not house dragonets with aggressive and pugnacious tank mates. Fish that will also inadvertently outcompete it for live copepods should be avoided unless the set-up is large enough to disperse this competition. Examples include, but are not limited to, certain anthias, gobies, dottybacks, wrasses, and basslets. Ruby dragonets are most at home in reef aquariums and they will not harm any invertebrate or coral. Recommended water conditions, 72-78° F, KH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.020-1.025.
Purchase Size: Small: 3/4″ to 1-1/4″; Medium: 1-1/2″ to 2-1/2″
Note: Your item may not look identical to the image provided due to variation within species. Purchase sizes are approximate.
Dry goods orders are shipped via US Postal Service or UPS to the address provided at checkout based on the selection made in your website shopping cart. Product is carefully packed to help prevent any damage during shipping. Once processed you will receive a shipment notification via email with tracking number, and delivery notification. Please allow 48 hours for processing after your order is placed.
Perishable items (i.e. live plants, refrigerated/frozen foods) are shipped via US Postal Service 2-3 day to the address provided at checkout for a $25.00 flat rate charge. Items are packed with secure packing material and heat, cold, or Cryo packs as needed to maintain safe temperatures during transit. If one or more perishable items are in the shopping cart at checkout the $25.00 perishable shipping charge will automatically appear and need to be selected. Once processed you will receive a shipment notification via email with tracking number. Please allow 48 hours for processing after your order is placed.
Livestock (i.e. fish, invertebrates, coral) are shipped via UPS Overnight to the address provided at checkout for a $55.00 flat rate charge. Livestock is packed in insulated styrofoam boxes with secure packing material and heat, cold, or Cryo packs as needed to maintain safe temperatures during transit. If one or more livestock items are in the shopping cart at checkout the $55.00 livestock shipping charge will automatically appear and need to be selected. Livestock is shipped Monday through Wednesday ONLY (no weekend delivery is available) weather permitting, and we reserve the right to delay shipping until conditions are appropriate for safe arrival. Once your order is placed we will contact you to arrange the best shipping date based on these criteria. Someone must be available to receive the livestock order on the first delivery attempt. Once processed you will receive a shipment notification via email with tracking number. Please allow 48 hours for processing after your order is placed.
For mixed dry goods/perishable & livestock orders items will be shipped via their corresponding shipping methods outlined above. Dry goods will be shipped via US Postal Service or UPS based on your selection and checkout, while livestock will ship via UPS Overnight for a $55.00 flat rate charge. You will receive separate notifications and tracking numbers for the dry goods and livestock. Please note due to different carriers and shipping methods dry goods and livestock may arrive on different days.