Ruby Red Dragonet (Synchiropus sycorax)

The Ruby Red Dragonet is a stunning and sought-after marine fish known for its vibrant red coloration, complemented by intricate patterns of white and hints of green or blue around its head. This peaceful and active fish spends its time exploring live rock, feeding on copepods and other tiny crustaceans. Like other dragonets, the Ruby Red Dragonet requires a mature, well-established tank with a healthy population of live food or supplemental feedings, making it a favorite among experienced aquarists.

Care Information

• Maximum Size: Up to 2.5 inches.
• Tank Size: 30 gallons minimum; best in mature tanks with live rock to support natural pod populations.
• Diet: Carnivorous; feeds primarily on copepods and other small crustaceans. Though challenging, the Ruby Red Dragonet can sometimes be trained to accept frozen foods like mysis and brine shrimp, particularly if target-fed with a gentle flow to simulate live prey. Regular additions of live copepods may be needed to supplement its diet.
• Water Temp: 72-78°F.
• Salinity: 1.020-1.025.
• Aggression: Peaceful; generally non-aggressive, making it a suitable addition to community tanks with peaceful species that won’t compete for food.
• Skill Level: Advanced; requires a mature, stable tank with a steady copepod population or dedicated feeding.
• Reef Compatibility: Reef-safe; does not harm corals or invertebrates, making it an excellent addition to reef tanks with plenty of live rock.

Special Feeding Tips - Patience and Target Feeding
Training the Ruby Red Dragonet to accept frozen foods requires patience. Using target feeding with a gentle water flow to mimic moving prey can help encourage this dragonet to accept frozen options. Live copepods should be available as the primary food source.

Compatibility
This dragonet is a peaceful species compatible with various reef-safe tankmates. Avoid housing it with fast-feeding fish or aggressive species that may outcompete it for food. It’s best suited to established, peaceful reef setups with ample live rock.

Coloration

• Indo-Pacific Region: The Ruby Red Dragonet has a vibrant red body with delicate white markings and blue-green accents around the head and fins, making it one of the most visually striking dragonets​.

Typical Habitat

• Distribution: Native to the Indo-Pacific, particularly in reef environments with live rock and sand where it forages for copepods. This dragonet thrives in well-established tanks with stable water conditions and ample hiding spots​.