Though these fish are commonly referred to as Scooter Blennies, they are actually a Dragonet. Common names for the Scooter Blenny include; Synchirous stellatus, Red Scooter, Red Dragonet, Scooter Blenny, Starry Blenny & Starry Dragonet.
These colourful fish require an established aquarium due to their particular feeding habits. Unlike many other fish, these fish are not competitive eaters, they will spend all day picking at your rock-work & are unlikely to rush away from what they are doing when you put a bit of food in the tank.
They are easy to tell the difference between males & females as the males have a very large and exaggerated dorsal fin, where as the females is much smaller and less impressive. This species can be kept singularly, in male/female pairs or a single male with a harem of females.
Male Scooter Blenny 
Female Scooter Blenny
Tank Requirements & Facts
- Minimum tank size: 30 Gallon (135 Litres)
- Temperament: Peaceful
- Prone to disease: No
- Beginner Compatible: No
- Adult Size: 2.75 inches (7cm)
- Reef Compatible: Yes
- Predator Tank Compatible: No
- Care Level: Moderate to expert due to feeding habits
- pH: 8.1 to 8.4
- Temperature: 24°C to 28°C
- Preferred Tank Level: Substrate and rockwork
- Lots of hiding places required
- Number to a tank: This species can be kept singularly, in male/female pairs or a single male with a harem of females.
Feeding
These fish have special requirements with feeding. They spend their day pecking at the sand beds and rocks grazing. A good population of live copepods is a must, but you can source specimens that will eat frozen foods such as mysis & brine shrimp.
- These are carnivores
- A varied diet made of predominantly copepods and meaty foods is required.
- They are very slow eaters, they will not rush to the food you put in the tank. They need to be able to stumble upon it while grazing throughout the day.
- Live foods & frozen foods will all be appreciated.
Acclimatisation
Place your fish in the bucket and then drip acclimate for about 60 minutes at a rate of 3 drips per second. This should bring the fishes water parameters in line with your tanks parameters.
Once your fish has been drip acclimated, catch the fish with a net and place it gently into your tank. Do not put any of the water the fish originally came in, into your tank.
Care should be taken after adding the fish to ensure there is a tightly fitting lid on the aquarium at all times. These fish are known to be jumpers and they are more likely to jump when first introduced to an aquarium.
Can you keep a Scooter Blenny with a Mandarin Dragonet?
Yes, is the simple answer. Scooter Blennies & Mandarin Dragonets should get alone absolutely fine, the issue you may have is ensuring there is enough food for both fish in your tank as they have very similar feeding habits.
Both Mandarin’s & Red Dragonets are extremely peaceful, and because they spend all day picking at the substrate and rock-work, they tend to go largely unnoticed by their tank mates.
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