Starry dragonet (Synchiropus stellatus) care guide

Group
Marine fish
Other names
Red scooter blenny, Neosynchiropus stellatus
Family
Callionymidae (dragonets)
Origin
Indian Ocean, at around 40 m
Water
saltwater
Maximum size
12 cm
Temperature
24–27°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Hardness
Salinity SG 1.023–1.026
Minimum tank
300 litres
Care level
expert
Temperament
peaceful
Reef safe
yes

Care

A small, mottled red dragonet sold as the "red scooter blenny" although it is not a blenny. It hops and scoots over rock and sand looking for food. Keep it only in a large, established reef tank with lots of live rock and a healthy copepod population. Check that it is feeding before buying. Wikipedia gives a maximum of 7.5 cm total length; the list gives 12 cm. It sometimes appears in the aquarium trade. Water figures here are general marine aquarium guidance, not species-specific: 24–27 °C, pH 8.1–8.4, salinity SG 1.023–1.026. Minimum tank size of about 300 litres is our estimate from the adult size and habits, not a published figure. Sources: Wikipedia, List of marine aquarium fish species (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Listofmarineaquariumfishspecies); Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Starrydragonet). Checked October 2026.

Diet

Feeds on tiny bottom-living crustaceans. Many will only eat live copepods and amphipods, so a mature tank with a good population of these is needed; some can be weaned onto small frozen foods.

Breeding

Breeding in home aquaria has not been reported in the sources used here.

Compatibility and tank mates

Peaceful and reef safe. Avoid other copepod-eaters and fast, competitive feeders. Keep one male per tank.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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