Spotted Mandarin Care Guide
Synchiropus picturatus is a small Indo-West Pacific dragonet with a green body and blue ocelli that depends on a steady supply of live copepods.
Overview
Synchiropus picturatus is a brightly coloured dragonet reaching about 7 cm. It is one of only two vertebrates known to derive blue colour from cellular pigment rather than light interference, the other being its relative the mandarinfish. The skin carries a thick mucus layer that inhibits many parasitic infections and reduces disease risk after stress.
Taxonomy
- Family: Callionymidae
- Genus: Synchiropus
- Scientific name: Synchiropus picturatus
- Common synonyms: Picturesque Dragonet, Psychedelic Fish
Habitat
The species is native to the Indo-West Pacific, recorded from the Philippines, eastern Indonesia and northwest Australia. It is reef-associated and non-migratory, living over sandy bottoms of shallow sheltered reefs and remaining secretive in rubble below living coral, usually at depths to about 20 m where it forms small loose groups.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 200 L
- Temperature: 24-27 °C (75-81 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- Salinity: SG 1.024-1.026
- Carbonate hardness: 8-12 dKH
- Lifespan: 4-8 years
- Setup: mature tank with abundant live rock and a copepod refugium
Diet
The dragonet is a carnivorous benthic feeder, taking small benthic invertebrates. Its natural diet is dominated by copepods and other tiny crustaceans grazed from live rock and sand. In captivity a continuous supply of live or cultured copepods is critical, since many specimens do not readily accept prepared foods; an established system several months old and a refugium help sustain the food source.
Compatibility
The fish is peaceful and reef-safe. It is best kept with calm tankmates such as clownfish, firefish gobies and chromis, and should not be combined with other mandarins or aggressive bottom dwellers that would compete for copepods.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2022). The species enters the aquarium trade.