Ocellated dragonet

The ocellated dragonet is a small marine fish (family Callionymidae) from the western Pacific. It has a mottled brown and cream body patterned with dark ocelli and fine markings that provide excellent camouflage against sand and rubble, along with the flattened head and creeping gait typical of dragonets. It is peaceful and slow-moving, spending much of its time hopping over the substrate hunting tiny invertebrates. Males may be territorial toward one another, so only one male should be kept per tank. It needs a mature reef aquarium with a healthy population of live copepods and amphipods, as it grazes continuously on this microfauna. A large, established refugium and live rock help sustain its food supply, though some individuals can be trained onto frozen foods. Its specialized diet makes it best suited to experienced reef keepers.