Scooter Blenny

Maintenance difficulty:
   The Scooter Blenny can be easy to keep if provided the right environment and an adequate diet. This is very important. They are ideal in a large reef environment with lots of live rock. Algae growing on the live rock will provide a natural setting for the growth of tiny arthropods, a natural food for these fish. Provide a sandy substrate, with live sand being even better, and be sure there are plenty of caves and hiding places.

Maintenance/Foods:
   The Scooter Blenny or Ocellated Dragonet eats small crustaceans and other small marine organisms. They will sift through the sand looking for food and the small pointed shape of their mouth is ideal for catching microfauna. Live brine is ideal for the aquarium, very small particles of meaty foods can also be offered.

Habitat: Natural geographic location:
   The Scooter Blenny is found in the Pacific Ocean, from southern Japan to the Marquesan Islands.

Social Behaviors:
   Typical they are peaceful with other fish. They can be kept singly or as a small group, though if you are going to have more than one you should introduce them all to the aquarium at the same time. It is best to keep two or three females with one male.

Sex: Sexual differences:
  Males have a "flag shaped" dorsal fin which they use to signal females and deter other males.

Breeding/Reproduction:
   We have found no information at this time (2/21/06), though would presume it to be very difficult due to the dragonet mating habits in nature.
   Dragonets rise straight up to the surface as a pair with their ventral sides together. As soon as they reach the surface the eggs and sperm are released (in about 15 seconds), and then they dive back to the bottom and bury themselves in the sand. They will do this only in areas where there is a strong surface current, that will carry and disperse the eggs over a large area. Some dragonets have been known to migrate far distances to find a suitable place with a strong current.

Light: Recommended light levels:
   No special requirements.

Temperature:
  A good temperature range for this marine fish is between 72 - 78° F. (22 – 26°C).

Length/Diameter of fish:
   The Scooter Blenny or Ocellated Dragonet adults can grow to 5 inches (12.7 cm).

Minimum Tank Length/Size:
   A minimum 30 gallon aquarium is recommended for a single fish, with a 55 gallon aquarium to house more.

Water Movement: Weak, Moderate, Strong
   No special requirements.

Water Region: Top, Middle, Bottom
  The Scooter Blenny usually spends most of its time on rockwork or live rock near the bottom. A bottom dweller.

Availability:
   The Scooter Blenny or Ocellated Dragonet is readily available and is inexpensive.