All fish / Callionymidae

Lateral Dragonet

Synchiropus lateralis

Also known as sailfin dragonet, red scooter dragonet, lateral mandarin, scooter blenny, ocellated dragonet, flagfin dragonet, ヤマドリ, 侧斑连鳍䲗

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A small, mottled bottom-dwelling dragonet with a sandy brown and white body, and males show a tall, colourful first dorsal fin that they raise when displaying. Keepers like its quirky hopping movements over sand and rock, and it makes a peaceful, reef-safe alternative to the better known mandarins.

Care at a glance

Care level

Hard

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

7 cm

Temperature

22 to 27 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

150 litres

Keep as

Singly or as a male and female pair; keep only one male per tank

Diet

Carnivore: live copepods and amphipods from a mature rock or refugium, plus enriched frozen mysis, brine shrimp and copepods once weaned

Swims

Bottom of the tank

Lifespan

2 to 4 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Western Pacific: Japan and the South China Sea to the Philippines, Indonesia and Australia

Breeding

Pairs spawn in open water at dusk, rising up together and scattering tiny pelagic eggs. Spawning sometimes happens in aquariums, but raising the larvae needs very small live foods and is rarely managed.

Good to know

Most individuals eat only small live crustaceans, so they starve in new or small tanks without a well established population of copepods. Two males will fight, and boisterous food competitors such as wrasses or other dragonets can outcompete it.