Ruby Red Dragonet

Stunning and mesmerizing, the Ruby Red Dragonet is one of the most visually striking small fish available to reef keepers. Its entire body glows with vibrant deep red coloration, creating an almost jewel-like appearance that catches the eye under any lighting. With delicate, flowing fins and graceful movements, this tiny beauty brings elegance and color to peaceful, well-established reef systems. However, this is a fish for experienced keepers—it requires a specific environment and feeding approach to thrive.

This is a WYSIWYG fish – What You See Is What You Get. The dragonet shown in the photos is the exact specimen you will receive from MyTinyFins, carefully acclimated and quarantined to ensure arrival in excellent condition.

Care Guide

Tank Size & Setup: Ruby Red Dragonets require 75-gallon tanks or larger with extensive live rock and mature sand beds. This is non-negotiable. They need a well-established, stable ecosystem with abundant natural food sources. Newer tanks or systems without established populations will likely fail to support this fish. Temperament: Peaceful, non-aggressive, and reef-safe. They’re solitary and should be kept singly. Generally compatible with other peaceful, non-aggressive fish species. Avoid aggressive tank mates that may outcompete them for food. Critical – Feeding: This is where Ruby Red Dragonets are challenging. They are obligate copepod feeders and will not eat standard aquarium foods like pellets or flakes. They require a thriving live copepod population in your tank to survive. Without abundant pods, they will starve. Before acquiring this fish, ensure your tank has a well-established, visible pod population. Supplement with occasional live copepod cultures or bottled live copepods during acclimation. Lighting & Flow: Standard reef lighting is fine—they don’t require intense light. Prefer gentle, indirect flow. Avoid high-velocity currents that can stress them or prevent them from feeding on copepods. Substrate & Rockwork: Essential. A deep, mature sand bed (3+ inches) and abundant live rock are critical for maintaining a healthy copepod population. The more surface area and biofilm, the more pods will thrive, and the better your dragonet will eat. Water Parameters: Maintain pristine conditions with stable salinity (1.025–1.026), pH (8.1–8.4), and temperature (72–78°F). Water quality is paramount—perform regular water changes and avoid any sudden parameter swings. Tank Mates: Compatible with peaceful reef fish. Avoid aggressive species, fast eaters, or large fish that will outcompete them for copepods. Be cautious with other small, delicate fish that may compete for the same food source. Acclimation: Allow 30 minutes of drip acclimation for a smooth transition. Take time introducing them slowly to your system to minimize stress. Behavior: Expect a shy, graceful fish that spends time hovering near substrate and rock work, methodically hunting for copepods. They’re slower, less active swimmers than many fish, but their elegant movements and striking color make them captivating to observe. Important Consideration: Ruby Red Dragonets are not recommended for beginner aquarists or systems without established pod populations. Success depends entirely on having a mature, copepod-rich environment before introduction.