Ruby Red Dragonet (Synchiropus sycorax)
The Ruby Red Dragonet is a relatively "new" discovery in the hobby (officially described in 2016) that has taken the reef world by storm. While the Ocellated Dragonet we discussed is a master of camouflage, the Ruby Red is the exact opposite: it is a vibrant, high-contrast "jewel" of the substrate. It is arguably the most colorful dragonet available, but it shares the same "expert-level" dietary requirements as its cousins.
Key Information
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Common Names: Ruby Red Dragonet, Sycorax Dragonet
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Scientific Name: Synchiropus sycorax
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Origin: Western Pacific (specifically the Sulu Archipelago, Philippines)
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Max Size: 5–7 cm (approx. 2–2.5 inches)
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Lifespan: 3–5 years
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Temperament: Peaceful; safe with almost all non-aggressive fish
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Diet: Carnivore – Strict copepod specialist
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Care Level: Expert / Difficult (due to feeding)
Appearance & Identification
The Ruby Red looks like it was designed for a high-end luxury brand:
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The Color: A brilliant, saturated blood-red body that is far more intense than any other dragonet.
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The Accents: Its underside and fins are decorated with vibrant yellow highlights and intricate black/white spotting.
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The Male’s Sail: The male (which you specifically asked about) possesses a spectacular, oversized dorsal fin. When he "flares" it during courtship or to show dominance, it reveals a stunning pattern of yellow and black stripes—it looks like a tiny feathered sail.
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Size: They are slightly smaller and more slender than the standard Green Mandarin.
The "Expert" Warning: The Feeding Challenge
Because of its tiny mouth and high metabolism, this fish presents a major hurdle:
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Copepod Dependency: In the wild, they "peck" at the rocks thousands of times a day, eating tiny copepods. Most will ignore frozen food entirely.
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Starvation: If your tank doesn't have a massive, self-sustaining population of pods, this fish will likely starve within weeks.
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The "Pod" Source: You must have a mature reef tank (usually 6-12 months old) or a very active refugium where pods can breed without being eaten by other fish.
Behaviour & Tank Compatibility
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The Hovercraft: They don't swim in the water column; they "glide" over the rocks and sand using their pectoral fins like little fans.
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Reef Safe: 100% Reef Safe. They are perfect for delicate coral displays as they never nip at anything except micro-crustaceans.
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Social Structure: Males are highly aggressive toward other males of their species. Keep only one male per tank, or a mated pair if you can find a female (which is usually less colorful and has a smaller dorsal fin).
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Competition: Avoid keeping them with "pod-eating" rivals like Six-line Wrasses or Melanurus Wrasses in small tanks, as those fish will quickly "empty the pantry" and leave the Dragonet with nothing to eat.
Ideal Tank Setup
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Tank Size: A minimum of 115L (30 Gallons). Even though the fish is tiny, the tank needs to be large enough to produce enough live food to sustain it.
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Substrate: A fine sand bed is highly recommended, as they enjoy sifting through it for pods.
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Refugium: A "pod-factory" (refugium) attached to your main tank is the best way to ensure long-term success.
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Feeding: If you're lucky, you can "train" them to eat frozen Nutramar Ova or Cyclops, but you should never buy one assuming it will eat prepared foods.
Why Choose the Ruby Red Dragonet?
The Ruby Red is for the hobbyist who wants a living masterpiece at the bottom of their tank. Its color is unmatched, and its behavior is fascinating to watch. It is a true "prestige" fish for an established reef system.
