Mandarin Dragonet care guide
Mandarin Dragonet (Synchiropus splendidus) — minimum tank 200 L, temperature 24-27 °C, pH 8-8.4.
Overview
The Mandarin Dragonet (Synchiropus splendidus) is a small benthic reef fish renowned for an intricate pattern of blue, orange and green wavy lines on a dark body. Males develop a much elongated first dorsal spine that is raised during courtship displays.
Taxonomy
- Family: Callionymidae
- Genus: Synchiropus
- Scientific name: Synchiropus splendidus
- Common synonyms: Mandarin Fish, Mandarin Goby
Habitat
Occurs in the western Pacific from the Ryukyu Islands south through the Philippines, Indonesia and New Guinea to Australia and New Caledonia. Inhabits sheltered lagoons and inshore reefs at depths of 1-18 metres, hopping along the substrate among coral rubble and live rock.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 200 L (52.8 US gal)
- Adult size: 6-8 cm
- Temperature: 24-27 °C (75-81 °F)
- pH: 8-8.4
- GH: 8-12 °dGH
- Water flow: low
- Lifespan: 5-10 years
- Salinity: SG 1.024-1.026
- Carbonate hardness (dKH): 8-12
Diet
A specialist micropredator that picks tiny live crustaceans — particularly harpacticoid copepods and amphipods — one by one from the substrate. Dependence on live prey makes this species suitable only for mature reef systems with abundant pod populations or for aquarists able to maintain a copepod refugium.
Compatibility
Peaceful and slow-moving; outcompeted at feeding by faster active fishes. Best kept in a quiet tank with similarly placid companions such as small gobies, cardinalfish or pipefish; avoid aggressive fish that monopolise food. House only one male per tank, as males display intense intraspecific aggression.
Reef compatibility
Reef-safe. Does not harm corals, clams or other invertebrates and is a popular addition to mature reef aquariums where live pod populations sustain its specialised feeding needs.
Breeding
A pelagic broadcast spawner. At dusk a courting pair rises together into the water column, releases gametes and immediately returns to the substrate; eggs and larvae are pelagic, and captive larval rearing has been achieved on a limited scale.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern. The species is widely distributed but localised in habitat; pressure from the aquarium trade has prompted ongoing aquaculture research and limited captive-bred availability.