Spotted Mandarin (Synchiropus picturatus)

The Spotted Mandarin, also known as the Psychedelic Mandarin, is a stunning and peaceful reef fish renowned for its intricate patterns and vibrant coloration. Its green body is adorned with orange and blue swirls, making it one of the most visually captivating fish in the aquarium trade. The Spotted Mandarin is a specialized feeder, requiring a mature tank with a thriving population of copepods or careful supplemental feeding. This fish is a rewarding choice for experienced aquarists.

Care Information

• Maximum Size: Up to 3 inches.
• Tank Size: 30 gallons minimum for a single specimen; larger tanks with established live rock are recommended to support its dietary needs.
• Diet: Carnivorous; primarily feeds on live copepods and amphipods in the wild. In captivity, it may accept frozen or live brine shrimp and mysis shrimp, but a robust copepod population is essential for long-term success. It can sometimes be trained to eat prepared foods.
• Water Temp: 72-78°F.
• Salinity: 1.020-1.025.
• Aggression: Peaceful; generally ignores other tankmates but may become territorial with other dragonets, especially in smaller tanks.
• Skill Level: Advanced; requires a mature, stable tank with plenty of live rock and a sustainable food source.
• Reef Compatibility: Reef-safe; does not harm corals or invertebrates and is an excellent addition to reef setups.

Special Feature - Intricate Coloration and Feeding Challenges
The Spotted Mandarin is not only one of the most colorful marine fish but also one of the most specialized feeders. Providing a large, established copepod population is critical for its survival. Its psychedelic patterns and peaceful nature make it a prized addition to marine tanks.

Compatibility
This dragonet is peaceful and ideal for community tanks with other non-aggressive species. Avoid housing it with fast-feeding or aggressive fish that may outcompete it for food. Pairing with other mandarins should only be attempted in larger tanks with abundant resources.

Coloration

• Indo-Pacific Region: The Spotted Mandarin features a green body with intricate orange, blue, and black patterns, resembling a work of art. Its psychedelic appearance is enhanced by a pair of large, fan-like fins that it uses for slow, graceful movement​.

Typical Habitat

• Distribution: Found in the Indo-Pacific, particularly in coral-rich reef zones with sandy bottoms where it forages for copepods. In aquariums, it thrives in mature setups with plenty of live rock and stable water conditions​.