Moyer's dragonet - synchiropus moyeri

[LeonardTheWrasse]

Hi,

I've never seen these for sale before, and there's a store that is certain that this is the species they have.
I am by no means a expert in dragonet identification, however, I think that these fish look a bit more like the starry dragonet (synchiropus ocellatus).
I would be very interested in purchasing both these dragonets if I got a couple other opinions, I've been wanting/looking for a moyer's dragonet for a while, but I just don't want to end up with fish I don't particularly want.

Thanks

 

[LeonardTheWrasse]

Sorry for the double pictures, it won't let me remove them.

 

[LeonardTheWrasse]

Bump

 

[twentyleagues]

Isnt the moyers also called the ruby red dragonette? If so these should be much more red. This looks like the typical red dragonette like you said, to me.

 

[LeonardTheWrasse]

Isnt the moyers also called the ruby red dragonette? If so these should be much more red. This looks like the typical red dragonette like you said, to me.

The Moyer's is a separate species, synchiropus moyeri, (from what I understand) this article provides pretty good images.
People do use the name Moyer's for the ruby reds though, I wish people would stick to scientific names, it would make it so much easier haha.

Moyer’s dragonet is a brilliant and little known species of red scooter blenny | Reef Builders | The Reef and Saltwater Aquarium Blog

Synchiropus moyeri is a nearly unknown species of colorful dragonet from the Western Pacific which is much rarer than the common aquarium fish the red scooter blenny, Synchiropus stellatus.

reefbuilders.com

 

[twentyleagues]

Oh yeah they do look completely different dont they. That juvenile coloration is cool in the pic. I used to see the name on orders at the lfs but it seems they always just sent the ruby reds when we ordered. I never really looked into further we sold them as ruby red scooters. I believe that is what they were, not moyers now that I see the difference.

 

[LeonardTheWrasse]

Oh yeah they do look completely different dont they. That juvenile coloration is cool in the pic. I used to see the name on orders at the lfs but it seems they always just sent the ruby reds when we ordered. I never really looked into further we sold them as ruby red scooters. I believe that is what they were, not moyers now that I see the difference.

They are different, and I wanted the 'real/true' Moyer's.
Heaps of stores call them Moyer's, but they aren't really. It's just a common name for multiple fish sadly.

 

[LeonardTheWrasse]

I've come to the conclusion that this fish is most likely synchiropus stellatus or the red dragonet.
These are images I found online of the red dragonet, and they are identical to this fish.

And the Moyer's dragonet looks like this, there is a difference in colour and pattern, the Moyer's has more white than red, and the red is more subdued. The white patterns on the Moyer's also looks like little clouds rather than just bits of white.

Any input is welcome, and if anyone owns a Moyer's dragonet please let me know, as I will continue to look for some.