Common name: Longtail seamoth

General information

The Longfin Dragonet, Pegasus volitans, is a unique and captivating species known for its elongated fins and benthic lifestyle. This small, bottom-dwelling fish is a member of the family Pegasidae and is often appreciated for its intricate patterns and graceful swimming behavior. Its appearance is characterized by a series of thin, ribbon-like pelvic fins that it uses to 'walk' along the substrate.

Care

Caring for Longfin Dragonets can be challenging due to their specialized dietary needs. They primarily feed on small crustaceans and other microfauna found in live sand and rock. In captivity, they require a well-established aquarium with plenty of live rock and a deep sand bed to thrive. Supplemental feeding with live or frozen foods such as copepods and brine shrimp may be necessary.

Reproduction

In the wild, Longfin Dragonets are oviparous, with females releasing eggs into the water column to be fertilized by males. In the aquarium, breeding is rare, but with a mature system and a pair of healthy individuals, spawning can occur. The larvae are pelagic and require specialized care to survive.

Habitat

Pegasus volitans is found in shallow, tropical marine waters, often associated with seagrass beds and coral rubble. They are distributed across the Indo-Pacific region, from the Red Sea and East Africa to Samoa, and north to the Ryukyu Islands.