{"product_id":"red-scooter-dragonet","title":"Red Scooter Dragonet","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Red Scooter Dragonet is a small, highly patterned saltwater fish prized for its vivid red, orange, cream, and brown markings and its unusual bottom-dwelling behavior. Rather than swimming continuously in open water, it moves in short hops across rockwork and substrate while searching for tiny prey. Its elaborate fin patterning and expressive movements make it especially appealing in peaceful reef aquariums.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSynchiropus stellatus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, commonly sold as the Red Scooter Dragonet, is native to the Indo-Pacific and is associated with reef rubble, sandy bottoms, and protected reef environments. In nature, it spends much of the day picking copepods, amphipods, and other minute crustaceans from rock and substrate surfaces.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlthough small and peaceful, this species is more demanding than its size suggests because of its specialized feeding habits. It is best suited to mature reef aquariums with abundant natural microfauna and should not be selected solely on the assumption that it will readily accept prepared foods.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eQuick Care Guide\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCare Level:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Moderate to Expert\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMinimum Tank Size:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 30 gallons\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 \/ Micro-predator\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\u003eRegion:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Indo-Pacific\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSynchiropus stellatus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTank Requirements\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eProvide a mature marine aquarium with substantial live rock, rubble zones, and areas of open sand. A well-established system with a healthy population of copepods and other small crustaceans is strongly preferred.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Red Scooter Dragonet spends most of its time close to the bottom, so abundant rock surfaces and sheltered feeding areas are more important than extensive open swimming space. Moderate water movement is appropriate, but provide calmer zones where food can settle and be easily located.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA mature refugium or other source of naturally reproducing microfauna can be especially beneficial in supporting long-term feeding.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDiet and Feeding\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Red Scooter Dragonet is a specialized carnivore that naturally feeds on copepods, amphipods, and other tiny benthic invertebrates.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA mature aquarium with a strong natural pod population provides an important baseline food source. Some specimens may also accept frozen copepods, enriched baby brine shrimp, finely chopped mysis shrimp, small frozen marine blends, and very small sinking foods.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOffer small portions multiple times per day when possible. Food should reach the bottom and rock surfaces where the dragonet naturally forages.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMonitor body condition closely. A dragonet that appears active but gradually develops a pinched or hollow abdomen may not be consuming enough food.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTemperament and Tankmates\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Red Scooter Dragonet is peaceful and best housed with calm community fish that will not outcompete it aggressively at feeding time.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSuitable tankmates include gobies, small blennies, cardinalfish, firefish, peaceful wrasses, and other non-aggressive reef species. Avoid large, aggressive fish and extremely fast feeders that may prevent the dragonet from obtaining enough food.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMales can become territorial toward other male dragonets. A compatible male and female may sometimes be maintained together in a mature aquarium with adequate space and food availability.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReef Compatibility\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Red Scooter Dragonet is considered \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ereef safe\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt does not normally damage corals, clams, shrimp, snails, or other established ornamental invertebrates. Its feeding behavior is directed toward tiny crustaceans and microfauna living on rockwork and substrate.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt may compete for copepods with other specialized microfauna feeders, such as mandarins and certain wrasses, so stocking should account for the available natural food supply.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWater Parameters\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTemperature:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 75–80°F\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecific Gravity:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 1.024–1.026\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003epH:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 8.1–8.4\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAlkalinity:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 8–12 dKH \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaintain stable salinity, temperature, and overall water quality. Mature biological stability is especially important for this species.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCommon Considerations\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSpecialized feeding:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e A mature copepod population greatly improves long-term success.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSlow feeder:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Fast or aggressive tankmates may prevent it from receiving enough food.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMonitor body condition:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Weight loss can occur even when the fish appears active and is constantly foraging.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePeaceful reef species:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Corals and established ornamental invertebrates are generally ignored.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMale territoriality:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Avoid keeping multiple males together unless the aquarium is large and carefully managed.\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"TSA Fish","offers":[{"title":"T (\u003c.75\")","offer_id":50810526794026,"sku":"DRAxRedT","price":38.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"S (.76-1\")","offer_id":52822450864426,"sku":"DRAxRedS","price":35.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"SM (1.1-1.5\")","offer_id":52822450897194,"sku":"DRAxRedSM","price":35.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"M (1.6-2\")","offer_id":52822450929962,"sku":"DRAxRedM","price":47.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"ML (2.1-2.5\")","offer_id":52822450962730,"sku":"DRAxRedML","price":50.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"L (2.6-3\")","offer_id":52822450995498,"sku":"DRAxRedL","price":53.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"XL (3.1-3.5\")","offer_id":52822451028266,"sku":"DRAxRedX","price":68.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0783\/0873\/7322\/files\/tsa-fish-red-scooter-dragonet-t-75-1260796958.png?v=1790984653","url":"https:\/\/topshelfaquatics.com\/products\/red-scooter-dragonet","provider":"Top Shelf Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}