Starry Dragonet (Synchiropus stellatus) Care Guide
Synchiropus stellatus is an Indian Ocean dragonet of coastal reefs reaching about 7.5 cm, a benthic invertebrate feeder.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
Overview
Synchiropus stellatus, the starry dragonet, was described by Smith in 1963. It is a small dragonet of the family Callionymidae reaching a maximum total length of about 7.5 cm. The body is mottled pink or gold above with silvery spots between dark stellate blotches.
Taxonomy
- Family: Callionymidae
- Genus: Synchiropus
- Scientific name: Synchiropus stellatus Smith, 1963
- Common names: Starry dragonet, stellate dragonet
Habitat
According to FishBase, the species occurs in the Indian Ocean from East Africa to Sumatra, Indonesia, including oceanic islands. It inhabits coastal, protected reefs on rubble or algal-covered rocks at depths of 5-40 m, typically 10-20 m. FishBase notes it is replaced by Synchiropus moyeri in the Western Pacific.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 80 L (21 gal)
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Carbonate hardness: 8-12 °dGH
- Maximum size: about 7.5 cm total length (FishBase)
- Lifespan: 4-10 years
- Requires a mature system with abundant live copepods
Diet
FishBase gives a trophic level of about 3.3, consistent with a carnivorous diet of small benthic invertebrates. In aquaria it grazes continuously on copepods and other micro-fauna and depends on a mature, established system.
Compatibility
This is a peaceful, bottom-dwelling species. It is best kept with calm tankmates that do not compete for live food, and away from aggressive fishes and predators.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2022).
Synchiropus stellatus Breeding Guide
Overview
Synchiropus stellatus, the starry dragonet, is a reef-associated dragonet of the family Callionymidae reaching about 7.5 cm total length. It is distributed in the Indian Ocean from East Africa to Sumatra and around oceanic islands, at depths of 5 to 40 m and usually 10 to 20 m, on coastal protected reefs over rubble and algae-covered rock. Its body is mottled pink or gold above with silvery spots set among dark stellate blotches. As a dragonet it feeds on small benthic invertebrates and is best kept in a copepod-rich mature system.
Sexing
Dragonets are strongly sexually dimorphic, with males larger and bearing longer, more developed fins than females. Display males of this species flare conspicuous fins, which helps distinguish them from the plainer females.
Conditioning
Reproductive condition depends on a steady supply of live copepods. A refugium or mature reef with self-sustaining pod populations is the practical basis for conditioning broodstock; conversion to frozen foods is possible for some individuals but live prey best maintains spawning condition.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
Dragonet spawning takes place in the late afternoon just before sunset and follows a sequence of courtship display, pairing, ascent and gamete release. Both sexes fan their pectoral and caudal fins, the male also flaring his dorsal fins and nudging the female, after which the pair ascends roughly 0.7 to 1.2 m up the water column before releasing eggs and milt.
Egg & Fry Care
The eggs are buoyant and pelagic and drift with plankton; no parental care follows spawning. In aquaria the eggs must be captured as they rise, and the resulting planktonic larvae need extremely small first foods, so successful rearing has been limited to specialist setups rather than the home aquarium.
Common Challenges
Collecting floating eggs before filtration removes them and feeding the minute larvae are the central obstacles, alongside sustaining the heavy copepod load needed for broodstock and any fry. Documented reproduction therefore rarely extends beyond egg release for this species.