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Mandarin

The mandarin fishes (Synchiropus spp.) are highly sought after fishes in the marine ornamental fish hobby. Some of this may come from their seemingly carefree attitude that they emanate as they slowly and haphazardly scoot across the tank floor in search of food. Some may also come from their delicate, softly fluttering finnage. But for sure, their enduring popularity owes mainly to the bold colors and patterns.

The popularity--and very common presence--of these beautiful animals in the trade might suggest that they are always easy-to-care-for, “bulletproof” species. Nothing could be further from the truth; to the contrary, they have utterly broken many hopeful aquarists’ hearts.

While not particularly sensitive to water conditions or demanding about its physical environment, the mandarin fish is notoriously picky about its food. Though a technical omnivore (examination of gut contents of wild specimens reveals a diet ranging from tiny worms to baby snails), it strongly prefers microcrustaceans such as copepods. Dead items, or especially heavily processed items (i.e. pellets) are very often ignored. The result, eventually, is starvation and death.

Well-meaning aquarists, who desperately wish to keep this attractive creature, take false assurance (from the few pods they see on their glass) that they have sufficient amounts of live food present. However, after a short while of targeting the larger (reproductive) individuals, the fish depletes its food source to its own demise.

Fortunately, two fairly recent developments have greatly increased one’s odds of success at keeping healthy mandarins: The availability of captive bred specimens as well as the availability of replenishment feed stock (especially live copepods). The green mandarin (S. splendidus) has in particular become quite easy to acquire as captive bred, and is notably less finicky than its wild brethren (it can sometimes even be trained to accept supplemental feedings of prepared fare).

In this section, you will learn all about the behavior and biology of this magnificent little fish as well as how to care for one of your very own.

8 Posts

What Kind of Copepods do Mandarins Eat?

The Mandarin Goby is a very captivating fish. This fish is mostly prized because of its appearance. Its vibrant colors and patterns are
Read More about What Kind of Copepods do Mandarins Eat?

A green spot Mandarin

Quarantining Your Mandarin Fish

If you have even worked at the retail or wholesale end of the aquarium fish industry--even for just a week--you are probably keenly
Read More about Quarantining Your Mandarin Fish

A baby green mandarin goby

An Overview of the Mandarin Goby

The BIOTA mandarin goby (or mandarin dragonet) is one of the most vibrant and sought after fish in this hobby. There are actually two
Read More about An Overview of the Mandarin Goby

A captive Bred Court Jester

4 Captive Bred Fish For Beginners

As years go by, more and more fish in this industry have been successfully captive bred, by incredible companies such as BIOTA . This
Read More about 4 Captive Bred Fish For Beginners

Three Great Hacks for AlgaeBarn Simple Brine

For about a century, brine shrimp (Artemia spp.) have been among the most important of all aquarium foods. Not only are they extremely
Read More about Three Great Hacks for AlgaeBarn Simple Brine

Captive Bred v.s. Wild Caught Green Mandarin Dragonets

They may look the same, but captive bred and wild-caught Green Mandarin Dragonets are different for many reasons. When it comes down to
Read More about Captive Bred v.s. Wild Caught Green Mandarin Dragonets

How to Set Up an Aquarium for a Green Mandarin Dragonet

I should have done this! I should have done that! Throughout your experience in the saltwater aquarium and reef hobby, you will be
Read More about How to Set Up an Aquarium for a Green Mandarin Dragonet

A Male Blue Mandarinfish

Feeding the Mandarinfish with a Mix of Live and Prepared Foods

For so many aquarists, the green mandarin fish (Synchiropus splendidus) is a must-have species. Its endearing personality, exquisite
Read More about Feeding the Mandarinfish with a Mix of Live and Prepared Foods

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