Flame Scooter Blenny

Description

Flame Scooter Blenny

Synchiropus splendidus

Origin: Western Pacific – Philippines, Indonesia, Solomon Islands

Size: Up to 7 cm

Reef Compatibility:

• Small Fish Safe: ✅ Yes
• Invert Safe: ✅ Yes
• Coral Safe: ✅ Yes

Diet: Carnivore – feeds on live copepods and other microfauna; may accept enriched frozen foods once established.

Care Level: Difficult – requires a mature, established reef with abundant live microfauna.

Aggression: Peaceful – does not harass other fish, but territorial toward same species.

Captive-Bred Available: ✅ Yes (limited availability)

Notes:

The Flame Scooter Blenny, also known as the Mandarin Dragonet, is famous for its vibrant orange, blue, and green coloration. It is a slow-moving, bottom-dwelling species that constantly grazes on copepods in the sand and rockwork. Only suitable for mature reef systems with a healthy microfauna population, as starvation is a common risk in new tanks. Provide plenty of live rock and open sand areas to allow natural foraging.

Why We Like It:

Spectacular colouration and unique foraging behaviour make the Flame Scooter Blenny a favourite for reef enthusiasts. It brings constant activity and vivid patterns to the lower levels of the aquarium while helping maintain microfauna balance.