The Red Scooter Dragonet (Synchiropus stellatus) is a peaceful marine fish with mottled red, brown and cream markings. Also known as the Red Scooter Blenny or Starry Dragonet, it’s fun to watch as it scoots across the sand, perches on rockwork and picks at tiny crustaceans throughout the day.
This reef-safe dragonet is best suited to a mature saltwater aquarium with plenty of live rock and a thriving copepod population. Its small size makes it easy to overlook how much it grazes. Choose a tank that can sustain a steady supply of live food and pair it with peaceful fish that give it time to feed.
Quick care guide
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Adult size: Around 8 cm
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Temperament: Peaceful
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Reef compatibility: Reef safe
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Care level: Intermediate to advanced due to feeding needs
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Diet: Live copepods and other small crustaceans. Some individuals also accept suitable frozen foods.
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Aquarium setup: Established marine aquarium with live rock, sheltered areas and open sand for foraging
Simply Fish recommendation
If you’re buying a Red Scooter Dragonet, ask us what the individual fish is eating before you bring it home. We recommend having an established copepod population even if the fish is taking frozen food. A refugium can give pods a place to reproduce away from grazing fish, and adding live copepods can help top up the population.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Red Scooter Dragonet reef safe?
Yes. It can live with corals and spends much of its time hunting tiny crustaceans on the rockwork and sand.
Will it eat frozen food?
Some individuals accept finely sized frozen foods. Feeding response varies from fish to fish, so check what your individual is eating and watch that it gets its share at feeding time.
Can I add one to a new marine aquarium?
Wait until the aquarium is mature and has a reliable copepod population. A newly cycled tank can have stable water readings before it has enough live food to support a dragonet.
Can I keep one with a mandarin dragonet?
Both fish graze on copepods, so keeping them together increases demand on the same food supply. We recommend starting with one dragonet unless your system can sustain both.
