Mandarinfish
Synchiropus splendidus
The mandarinfish grows up to 6 cm. Its body is elongated and covered with wavy blue, orange, and green patterns. Males have a greatly elongated first dorsal fin. It moves by crawling on the substrate in search of small crustaceans. It is shy and spends most of its time hidden. Sexual dimorphism is pronounced: males have a longer dorsal spine and brighter colors.
Recommended parameters
| Parameter | Recommended range |
|---|---|
| Temperature | 24–28 |
| pH | 8.1–8.4 |
| Salinity | 1.02–1.025 |
| NO₃ | ≤ 20 |
| PO₄ | ≤ 0.1 |
Care
Care notes
A tank of at least 100 liters is required, with mature water and an abundant copepod population. Water parameters must be stable: temperature 24-28°C, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.020-1.025. The decor should include plenty of live rock and hiding places. Diet consists exclusively of live prey such as copepods and amphipods. It is compatible with peaceful fish but may be aggressive towards conspecifics. Warning: do not introduce into a new tank or with fish that compete for food.