{"product_id":"ocellated-dragonet","title":"Ocellated Dragonet","description":"\u003ch1 data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOcellated Dragonet\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSynchiropus ocellatus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlso Known As:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Scooter Blenny, Scooter Dragonet\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCare Level:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Expert\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Peaceful\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDiet:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Carnivore \/ Microfauna Feeder\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReef Safe:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Yes\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMinimum Aquarium Size:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Approx. 150L+\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaximum Size:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Approx. 7–9cm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Indo-Pacific\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOcellated Dragonet\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e (\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSynchiropus ocellatus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e), commonly known as the Scooter Blenny, is a fascinating bottom-dwelling marine fish known for its unusual movement, intricate mottled patterning and curious personality.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDespite often being called a blenny, this species is actually a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003edragonet\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. It spends much of the day moving across the sand and rockwork in short hops while constantly searching for small crustaceans and other natural foods.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMales can develop an impressive extended dorsal fin featuring prominent spots, which may be raised during displays.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAquarium Care\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOcellated Dragonets are best suited to \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003emature, established reef aquariums\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e with plenty of live rock and a healthy sand bed.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA mature aquarium is particularly important because these fish spend much of their time naturally grazing on:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCopepods\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAmphipods\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTiny crustaceans\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOther naturally occurring microfauna\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEMA recommends a minimum aquarium size of around \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e150 litres\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, although larger, well-established systems generally provide a more reliable natural food supply.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThey are peaceful fish and work well with other non-aggressive marine species.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeeding\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeeding is the most important consideration when keeping an Ocellated Dragonet.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTheir natural diet consists primarily of tiny live crustaceans and microfauna found throughout established reef systems.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSome individuals will learn to accept prepared foods such as:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul data-spread=\"false\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFrozen mysis shrimp\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEnriched brine shrimp\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSmall frozen marine foods\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLive brine shrimp\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSuitable fine marine foods\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHowever, prepared foods should not automatically be relied upon. A \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ehealthy established copepod population\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e provides an important ongoing natural food source.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBecause of their specialised feeding requirements, we recommend this species for experienced marine aquarists.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReef Compatibility\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOcellated Dragonets are considered \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ereef safe\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e and are generally peaceful towards corals and invertebrates.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTheir calm temperament makes them suitable for peaceful reef communities, although very aggressive or highly competitive feeders should be avoided where possible.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMale \u0026amp; Female Compatibility\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOcellated Dragonets can generally be kept individually or as an established \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003emale and female pair\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMultiple males may become territorial towards one another, so care should be taken when keeping more than one specimen.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhy We Like Them\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Ocellated Dragonet is one of those marine fish that becomes more interesting the longer you watch it.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTheir unusual hopping movement, constantly searching behaviour and detailed camouflage-style patterning give them plenty of personality without needing bright colours to stand out.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThey're an excellent addition to a mature reef aquarium, but their specialised feeding requirements mean they're best suited to aquarists who can provide the established ecosystem they need to thrive.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"EMA","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67583550062669,"sku":null,"price":139.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0571\/2180\/0269\/files\/SquareEMATemplate_2_186f1c75-f136-44ae-afd1-e2d51c263886.webp?v=1791365120","url":"https:\/\/simplyfish.co.nz\/products\/ocellated-dragonet","provider":"Simply Fish","version":"1.0","type":"link"}