Dragonfish...

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Angela94

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Jun 16, 2011
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I once had a Dragonfish. I purchased it thinking it would look cool in my 20g. How wrong I was. the thing was like a nightmare, it was so hard to feed, and not to mention I was kind of scared of it (yet here I am with a Pacu :drool:). Anyway, it was probably better off staying at the LFS. I had no idea what to feed it, yet somehow it lasted for over 7 months. I guess the thing that scared me about it was its surprising movements. It would spaz out and swim all over the place. And how could I forget the one time that it jumped out of the tank...I was freaking out about grabbing it but eventually just closed my eyes, grabbed it, and put it back in the tank. Phew! So far, the Dragonfish is the only fish that I have ever encountered that I have been scared of. Actually, all bichers are kind of gross IMO. Have you ever owned one? Please share your experience, positive or negative!!
 
Well would first need to determine what type of fish you actually had.....it sounds like you had a dragon goby which is much different than a bichir. Do you have any pics? Dragon gobies are usually a blueish gray to silver color. I have a Senegal Bichir and he is the most mellow guy I have. Definately not a problem eating, actually eats out of my hand. Also, what size tank and what were the tankmates would be helpful. Good luck and welcome to MFK. Lots of good information on this site.
 
It was a dragon goby..sorry for any confusion. It was in a 20g with some tetras.
He was cool in the LFS but once I brought him home I was terrified of him!
 
Dragon goby??? If so then i am surprised that he lasted 7months. They are brakish fish and i bought like 4 when i was like a really begginner and all went down the toilet :( stupid walmart guy. Still got my money back though but i hate it wen fish die. If your fish looks like this then i am shocked to see that it lasted 7 months. Mine lasted 2-3 weeks.
dragon.jpg
 
That dragon goby was the first fish I ever kept in my 20 long. He was the greatest thing I ever owned. I got him as the first fish and fed it frozen things like blood worms and shrimp. I kept it for about a year and a half before it jumped out the back of the aquarium (where the hole for the filter was) and didn't find it until I moved 4 months later. all dried up and perfectly preserved behind my dresser. I haven't found one since but would love to keep one again. I know it's best to keep just one, and I was lucky when I decided to start it as my first fish in the tank because they are skittish and don't adjust/eat well if there's already other fish in the tank.

I kept it with a male betta, 4 sunset platties, 6 neon tetras and a small pleco (to be rehomed later). Was also starting to plant the tank when he jumped ship (had plastic ones up until then).
 
I had one of these guys when I was also a super beginner. (Stupid WalMart guy agreed) He lasted for about a month and a half despite the fact that he was and I had no clue what to feed him. He was a bit creepy, interesting to watch though. (:
 
I think my dragon goby must be some kind of weirdo then. He eats like a horse (loves clams on the half shell), is always totally mellow. The only time he ever leaves the bottom of the tank is when I clean the tank. Then he picks a corner and hangs out. On the other hand my brackish tank has turned out to be like the island of misfit toys for fish. I have a timid GSP that sleeps most of the day and cruises around all night, a Colombian that collects clam shells in one corner and guards them, and a molly that for the time being is the dominant fish.
 
Also, I've only seen dragon gobies at walmart--never in any LFS's...I always thought they looked weird also, so thats why I never purchased one. They look like they've been around for millions of years!
 
dragonfish or violet gobies are pretty neat fish. since im i living in a college dorm that only allows a 20 gallon max, my larger tanks are unavailable. right now i have two gsp's (green spotted puffers) and a dragonfish all living in harmony in my 20g. it looks as if the dragonfish could swallow the gsp's but youd never guess their throat is so small compared to mouth size. the large teeth are more for show and deffense more than anything. when i drop the frozen brine shrimp cubes in the tank, the gsp's tear it up and the dragonfish remains below swallowing what falls to the bootom from the gsp's feeding frenzy above. both my gsp's are about the size of dime while the dragon is about 6 1/2 inches long. i would recommend them to any experienced fishkeeper who knows how to accomidate brackish water species. Angela94, dragonfish spook easy becuase their eyes are so tiny they are nearly blind. the can see a massive object move near the tank and freaks them out. they typically find food through smell and use of their latteral line. hope this helps anyone with any questions.
 
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