Ruby Red Dragonets, how to ID and more.

[yikai]

Recent months this year have revealed a new dragonet sp that is unknown scientifically, and still relatively new to the trade. To add to the confusion, there are numerous new "red dragonets" that are appearing along side this new species, now dubbed colloquially as "ruby red dragonets".

To prevent further confusion, do note that none of these are to be confused with the red scooter blennies.

Here is the original "red ruby" dragonets. thought to be a new species and not scientifically named yet. Here are pictures taken today for reference only depicting the male. As you can see, the overall coloration is intense red and not white speckled as seen in the normal red scooters. take note of the pectoral fins, which are bright yellow and edged in dark-green to black. the base of each pectoral fin has a large brown spot.

[yikai]

Here is the female of the same species above, the ruby red dragonet. Females are colored the same, except that the dorsal fin is very short and not elaborately flag like in the male. Also note the pelvic fins. Same intense yellow, but this time without the greenish-black edging.

[yikai]

This is the 2nd species that occasionally appears and can be found mixed within a batch of red ruby dragonets.

Unlike the red ruby dragonet, this is not an unknown species to science. The identity of this dragonet species is Synchiropus tudorjonesi. Although not unknown, this is a relatively new species to science and has only been described last year.

The ID of this dragonet is fairly easy to figure out. The fish sports a blackish brown band along the flank horizontally. The pelvic fins are not colored yellow. here are side and top shots to show the difference in the red rubies.

[yikai]

The last and final red scooter that can be confused and found in the same batch of red rubies is this dragonet.

I am not sure of its identity at the moment and not sure if it is described or not. perhaps a dragonet expert can chime in. The difference in pectoral fins are obvious enough to separate from all the above.

top and side shots to show.

[yikai]

double post

[digibee]

Very good info indeed!

Thanks!

[yikai]

the last dragonet is tentatively IDed as S. morrisoni by Kevin Kohen and Matthew wittenrich.

there are also two confusing species from the philippines that are less red and circulating around. these are S. moyeri and S. bartelsi

[erikokelf]

Thanks for the info

No matter which species it is, they are all gorgeous.