Description

Also known as Dragonette, Mandarinfish, Ruby Red Dragonet, Scooter Dragonet.

Found singly or in harems, resting, and blending in with their surroundings, over coral, rocks, and sandy bottoms, close to large coral formations, of lagoons and seaward reef slopes, rich in algae growth. Males, females, and juveniles vary greatly in colours.
They feed on benthic invertebrates and zooplankton.
Length - 7.5cm
Depth - 3-30m
Widespread Western Pacific

Males have a taller more elaborate first Dorsal Fin which erects intermittently when moving around and for mating.
Every evening at sunset these beautiful fish rise up from the bottom to perform their dancing ritual before mating. Ref: https://www.fishbase.se/summary/Synchiropus-moyeri.html