[Samper]

Thinking about a red or "jeweled" scooter blenny. What are your thoughts on this fish for my current aquarium seems like my setup is too small? What food/ lr requirements must I meet to keep one?

[Ninong]

Hmmm... I'm really not sure which fish you are asking about? Are you asking about two different fish or just one fish? This is why I hate common names!

Anyway, "jewelled blenny" probably refers to Salarias fasciatus, which most people call "lawnmower blenny" or "algae blenny" but it looks like fishbase uses the common name "jewelled blenny," so maybe that's the one???

http://www.fishbase.org/Summary/Spec...name=fasciatus

If that's the one, you're right, a 20-gal tank is probably not a good choice. Also, it can sometimes be difficult to get these guys to eat anything commercial.

You really have me confused by your use of the word "scooter." That's because there are so many different fish that the LFS people call "scooter blenny" or "red scooter blenny," most of which are not even blennies at all.

P.S. -- Maybe you're talking about the so-called "red scooter blenny?" Which, of course, is not a blenny at all but a dragonet.

[Samper]

Now I've got myself all confused.....this fish was a dragonette I'm positive due to the head and body shape. The way it moves is an exact replica of the mandarin dragonette only it was white and red. I'd like to know the name of the fish but have decided against purchasing. I think this fish is an Synchiropus stellatus or possibly an Callionymus marquesensis but could only be sure after going back for another look.

[Ninong]

Originally Posted by Samper

Now I've got myself all confused.....this fish was a dragonette I'm positive due to the head and body shape. The way it moves is an exact replica of the mandarin dragonette only it was white and red. I'd like to know the name of the fish but have decided against purchasing. I think this fish is an Synchiropus stellatus or possibly an Callionymus marquesensis but could only be sure after going back for another look.

It is almost certainly Synchiropus stellatus, the Starry Dragonet, because that is the fish that some LFS incorrectly call the "red scooter blenny." But I'm sure there are other possibilities, too. They call pretty much anything that hangs out on the sand bed either a "scooter blenny" or some type of goby.

The reason all of this is so confusing is because the various LFS call about 10 different species of fish from three different genera "scooter blennies."

[Samper]

Maybe an organization should step in and regulate the naming and classification of fish and inverts in an LFS.....I hope to see stronger laws in effect one day regarding what an lfs tells its customers. These are living creatures we're dealing with. Sometimes to me it's a close comparison to a store like pet smart selling puppies advertised as fighting dogs....

[Ninong]

It's just a fact of life that many LFS people confuse gobies, blennies and dragonets all the time. They mix up the gobies and blennies and call something a goby when it's really a dragonet.

I don't think regulation is the answer. Education is the answer. It would be nice if the LFS people would participate in the education process, too, but that's not likely to happen. In the meantime, caveat emptor.

[Samper]

Originally Posted by Ninong

In the meantime, caveat emptor.

It should be a mutual responsibility for either party in this hobby or any other to let his or her knowledge be known before buying or selling a living creature.

I've run into problems at acertain LFS where this guy who owned the place was trying to convince me of something in front of a group of people. He got down right rude about it in front of the customers. I looked at em and told em point blank that this guy was wrong, trying to make a buck and that they were as stupid as he is if they were to take his advice. I was asked to leave but I'm sure he took a hit from the people who were in the shop with me.