Mandarinfish
From ReefPedia
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[edit] MandarinScientific Name Synchiropus splendidus Max. Size: 4 inches Tank Size: 50 gallons Aggression: Peaceful Hardiness: Difficult Reef-Safe: Yes Available as captive-bred: No |
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Physical Description
Among the most colorful and exotic looking fish on the market today. Their body is covered in maze-like patterns of greens, blues, and reds. Males can be distinguished by their first dorsal spine, which is longer than those of the females.
Distribution
Indo-Pacific
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Behavior
A peaceful addition to established reef tanks, a Mandarin fish will generally spend its time hunting for copepods and other morsels of food among your tanks live rock. Though they can be shy at first, many Mandarin fish will soon overcome this and will actually greet their owners when you come to the tank. Mandarins do not normally have a problem with other fish. They can become aggressive towards other Mandarins though, so the rule of one to a tank normally applies.
Feeding
Among the most difficult fish to feed in a captive reef, many Mandarinfish perish due to starvation. These fish require an aged tank with a healthy supply of copepods and similar crustaceans on which to feed. Though they may feed on flake and other foods, most Mandarinfish will not survive without adequate prey to hunt.
Breeding
Rare cases of breeding in captivity have been reported. Healthy mandarins spawn in the evenings, doing intricate dances in the water column, releasing sperm and egg as they rise.
Social Structure
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Current Views
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Additional Notes
Commonly available and inexpensive, but difficult to successfully rear, the Mandarin is known by a multitude of other names. Within the industry they can also be known as Green Mandarin, Green Dragonet, Striped MaaggressiveMandarin fishMandarin fishndarin, and Striped Dragonet.
