Ruby Red Dragonet | Synchiropus sycorax

The Ruby Red Dragonet (Synchiropus sycorax) is a small, brilliantly colored reef fish recognized for its vibrant ruby-red body, striking yellow fins, and intricate markings. Native to the tropical reefs of the Philippines, this beautiful species is highly sought after for its vivid coloration and fascinating behavior. Like other dragonets, Ruby Red Dragonets spend much of their time exploring rockwork and the substrate while hunting tiny crustaceans and other microorganisms.

Care Level: Difficult / Specialized
Maximum Size: 2 inches
Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons (larger, mature systems recommended)
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Safe: Yes
Diet: Carnivore / Microcrustacean Feeder
Temperature: 74–80°F
Specific Gravity: 1.023–1.026
pH: 8.0–8.4

Ruby Red Dragonets thrive in mature, well-established reef aquariums with plenty of live rock and a healthy population of copepods and other small crustaceans. These specialized feeders spend much of the day actively hunting for tiny prey and may struggle in newer aquariums without an established microfauna population. While some individuals can be trained to accept frozen foods such as enriched baby brine shrimp and finely chopped mysis, many rely heavily on live copepods for adequate nutrition. A refugium or regular supplementation of live copepods can be especially beneficial. Macroalgae systems in particular are encouraged for dragonets, as they provide shelter and food for copepods to explode in population.