All fish / Callionymidae

High-finned dragonet

Orbonymus rameus

Also known as high-finned dragonet, highfin dragonet, high fin dragonet, synchiropus rameus, callionymus rameus

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This dragonet has a flattened, tapering body in mottled sandy tones that blend in with sand and rubble. Males raise a tall, sail-like first dorsal fin. Specialist keepers value it for its unusual shape and its calm, hopping way of moving across the bottom. It is a rare import compared with mandarin dragonets.

Care at a glance

Care level

Hard

Temperament

Semi

Adult size

12 cm

Temperature

22 to 27 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

300 litres

Keep as

Keep singly or as a male and female pair

Diet

Carnivore: live copepods and amphipods, plus frozen mysis, cyclops and small meaty foods if the fish will accept them

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Northern and northwestern Australia and New Caledonia

Breeding

Pairs spawn in the water column at dusk and release tiny pelagic eggs. The larvae are very small and need rotifers and copepod nauplii. Captive breeding is rare and difficult.

Good to know

This species is now usually placed in Orbonymus. Like other dragonets it needs a mature tank with a large live copepod population or reliable feeding, and two males will fight. Avoid keeping it with fast competitors for food or predators that could eat it.