All fish / Callionymidae

Claudia's Dragonet

Synchiropus claudiae

Also known as claudia dragonet, claudia's mandarin, pygmy dragonet, dwarf dragonet, claudiae dragonet, クラウディアエ, 克劳迪娅青蛙

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A tiny dragonet described in 2015, it has a mottled red, white and brown body with pale spots, and males carry a tall first dorsal fin. Its small size makes it a popular choice for nano reef tanks where larger mandarins would starve.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

2.5 cm

Temperature

24 to 27 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

40 litres

Keep as

Single or a male-female pair; avoid two males

Diet

Carnivore: live copepods and amphipods, with some individuals learning to take frozen cyclops, baby brine shrimp and fine mysis

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

2 to 4 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Western Pacific: Indonesia (Sulawesi) and Philippines

Breeding

Pairs spawn in the water column at dusk, releasing floating eggs. Rearing the minute larvae needs very small live foods and has rarely been achieved by hobbyists.

Good to know

Needs a mature tank with a healthy copepod population and no competing pod-eaters. Males fight each other, so keep only one male per tank.