{"product_id":"scooter-blenny-dragonette-synchiropus-ocellatus","title":"Scooter Blenny Dragonet","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Scooter Blenny Dragonet is a small, peaceful saltwater fish known for its mottled brown, cream, and rust-colored patterning, often accented with subtle blue, green, and orange markings. Despite its common name, it is not a true blenny but a member of the dragonet family. Males can develop an enlarged, beautifully patterned first dorsal fin that creates an impressive display when raised.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNaturally found across the tropical Pacific, the Scooter Blenny Dragonet inhabits sandy lagoons, rubble zones, and sheltered rocky reefs where it spends much of the day moving along the bottom in short, deliberate bursts while hunting tiny invertebrates. Its unusual “scooting” movement, peaceful temperament, and constant foraging make it an engaging addition to a mature reef aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough compact and generally easygoing with tankmates, this species has specialized feeding requirements. A mature marine aquarium with established live rock, healthy copepod populations, and limited competition for food provides the best environment for long-term success.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eQuick Care Guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCare Level: Moderate\u003cbr\u003eMinimum Tank Size: 30 gallons\u003cbr\u003eTemperament: Peaceful\u003cbr\u003eDiet: Carnivore \/ Microcarnivore\u003cbr\u003eReef Safe: Yes\u003cbr\u003eRegion: Pacific Ocean — Indonesia to the Pitcairn region, north to Japan and south to Australia\u003cbr\u003eScientific Name: \u003cem\u003eNeosynchiropus ocellatus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTank Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Scooter Blenny Dragonet performs best in a mature, biologically established aquarium with abundant live rock, rubble, and open sand areas. Complex rockwork provides shelter while supporting populations of copepods, amphipods, and other small invertebrates that the fish naturally hunts throughout the day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA sand substrate is beneficial and complements its bottom-oriented lifestyle. Leave accessible areas around the base of the rockwork where the fish can move freely and search for food.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eModerate reef-style water movement is appropriate, although calmer areas should be available for comfortable foraging. An established refugium can be particularly useful for continually replenishing copepod populations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe age and biological maturity of the aquarium are especially important. A newly established tank may have adequate volume but still lack the natural food resources necessary to support a dragonet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eDiet and Feeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Scooter Blenny Dragonet naturally feeds on small benthic invertebrates, including copepods and other microcrustaceans. A mature aquarium with abundant natural microfauna provides valuable continuous feeding opportunities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOffer live copepods along with finely sized frozen foods such as mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, Calanus, frozen copepods, and quality plankton blends. Well-acclimated or captive-conditioned individuals may also learn to accept small sinking pellets and other prepared marine foods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeveral small feeding opportunities throughout the day are beneficial when natural prey populations are limited. Because dragonets feed slowly and deliberately, food should reach the lower areas of the aquarium where the fish normally forages.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrepared-food acceptance varies between individuals and should not be assumed. Regularly monitor body condition to ensure the fish is receiving enough nutrition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Tankmates\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eScooter Blenny Dragonets are peaceful and generally ignore unrelated marine fish. They are best maintained with calm reef community species that will not continually harass them or dominate feeding opportunities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe primary compatibility concern is competition for natural food. Other dragonets, mandarins, and heavy copepod-feeding wrasses can significantly reduce the available microfauna population, particularly in smaller systems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMales may become territorial toward other male dragonets. A compatible male and female can potentially be maintained together when the aquarium provides sufficient space and abundant food resources.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvoid highly aggressive or extremely fast-feeding tankmates that could prevent the dragonet from obtaining adequate nutrition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eReef Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Scooter Blenny Dragonet is reef safe and does not normally damage corals, anemones, clams, or other ornamental sessile invertebrates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt spends most of its time searching rockwork, rubble, and substrate for tiny natural prey. Established ornamental shrimp, snails, crabs, and other typical reef-cleanup animals are generally compatible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts peaceful behavior and bottom-oriented activity make it particularly well suited to mature mixed reef aquariums.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWater Parameters\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTemperature: 75–80°F\u003cbr\u003eSpecific Gravity: 1.024–1.026\u003cbr\u003epH: 8.1–8.4\u003cbr\u003eAlkalinity: 8–12 dKH\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaintain stable water chemistry, good oxygenation, and consistent salinity. Stability is more important than continually adjusting the aquarium to reach an exact value within these ranges.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon Considerations\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature aquarium strongly recommended:\u003c\/strong\u003e Established live rock and healthy copepod populations provide important continuous feeding opportunities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecialized feeding behavior:\u003c\/strong\u003e Some individuals readily accept frozen foods, while others remain heavily dependent on live microfauna.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWatch body condition:\u003c\/strong\u003e A thinning or noticeably pinched abdomen can indicate inadequate food availability.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLimit copepod competition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Other dragonets, mandarins, and dedicated microcrustacean feeders can compete for the same natural food supply.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNot a true blenny:\u003c\/strong\u003e Despite the common trade name, this species is a dragonet with feeding and husbandry requirements similar to other members of the dragonet family.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"TSA Fish","offers":[{"title":"S (.76-1\")","offer_id":51050958618922,"sku":"DRAxScoS","price":23.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"SM (1.1-1.25\")","offer_id":52822367011114,"sku":"DRAxScoSM","price":25.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"M (1.26-1.50\")","offer_id":52822367043882,"sku":"DRAxScoM","price":29.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"ML (1.56-1.75\")","offer_id":52822367076650,"sku":"DRAxScoML","price":31.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"L (1.76-2\")","offer_id":52822367109418,"sku":"DRAxScoL","price":35.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"XL (2.1-2.5\")","offer_id":52822367142186,"sku":"DRAxScoX","price":44.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"XX (2.51-3\")","offer_id":52822367174954,"sku":"DRAxScoXX","price":59.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"SHOW (3.1-3.5\")","offer_id":52822367207722,"sku":"DRAxScoSH","price":74.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0783\/0873\/7322\/files\/Scooter-Blenny.png?v=1789678040","url":"https:\/\/topshelfaquatics.com\/products\/scooter-blenny-dragonette-synchiropus-ocellatus","provider":"Top Shelf Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}