Dragonets
Dragonets are often mis-categorized as gobies or blennies by fish sellers. They are bottom-dwelling fish that constantly hunt tiny invertebrates for food. Most starve to death in a marine aquarium unless you provide a refugium or place for the invertebrates to reproduce safely without any fish being able to reach them.
| Common name | Image | Taxonomy | Reef safe | Care Level | Description | Max size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mandarinfish | Synchiropus splendidus | Yes | Difficult; attach a refugium to the tank | A brightly colored member of the dragonet family. Eats only copepods and will die in captivity without an adequate supply, which can only be had in very large, well established reef tanks | 70006000000000000006 cm (2.4 in) | |
| Red scooter blenny | Synchiropus stellatus | Yes | Moderate; attach a refugium to the tank | Not a true blenny. Often only eats live copepods and amphipods. | 700112000000000000012 cm (4.7 in) | |
| Ocellated Dragonet | Synchiropus ocellatus | Yes | Moderate; attach a refugium to the tank | Also known as Scooter Blenny though not a true blenny. Will often only eats live copepods and amphipods. | 70008000000000000008 cm (3.1 in) | |
| Spotted mandarin | Synchiropus picturatus | Yes | Difficult; attach a refugium to the tank | Often only eats live copepods and amphipods. | 700110000000000000010 cm (3.9 in) |
Read more about this topic: List Of Marine Aquarium Fish Species