🐠 Fingered Dragonet (Dactylopus dactylopus)
An Elaborate Sail-Like Dorsal Fin Displayed to Appear Larger • Distinctive "Fingered" Pelvic Fins Used to Walk the Substrate • A Specialist Live-Pod Feeder
 
📋 The Fingered Dragonet, also known as the Sailfin Dragonet, is an unusual-looking fish, mottled brown with large dark spots, an elaborate first dorsal fin displayed vertically to appear larger to predators, and distinctive "fingered" pelvic fins that let it walk along the substrate.
It comes from sandy and muddy reef flats and slopes across the Indo-Pacific, spending its day slowly picking through sand and rock for small crustaceans, burying itself in the substrate at night or when disturbed. Every Fingered Dragonet we ship is feeding well.
Like other dragonets, this species feeds almost entirely on tiny live copepods, amphipods, and other micro-crustaceans found naturally in mature live rock and sand, and we recommend it only for an aquarium that's been running for at least 6-12 months, giving natural pod populations time to establish. It's difficult to sustain on prepared foods alone, so an ongoing live food supply matters for long-term success. It's fully reef safe and won't harm corals or sessile invertebrates. It reaches up to 30cm, so a 280L tank suits it well, already established for 6-12 months.
 
💡 Highlights
🎨 Unusual Appearance: Elaborate dorsal fin and distinctive "fingered" walking fins
🍽️ Specialist Pod Feeder: Thrives in an established tank with a thriving copepod population
🌿 Reef Safe: Won't harm corals or sessile invertebrates
🐟 Slow, Peaceful Feeder: Easily outcompeted by faster tankmates
🏖️ Natural Sand-Burying Behaviour: Buries itself at night or when threatened