Green Mandarin (Synchiropus splendidus)

Overview

The Green Mandarin, Synchiropus splendidus, is also known as the also known as the Mandarinfish and Psychedelic Mandarinfish. These fish come from the Western Pacific Ocean. The body is a complex pattern of blue, orange/red, and green irregular lines.

These fish are carnivores and require a diet rich in meaty foods, such as mysis and brine shrimp and finely chopped seafood.

The Green Mandarin can grow to be about 4″ and will do best in well-established aquariums of at least 30 gallons. They are fairly slow swimmers and should not be kept in a tank with aggressive fish. Only one male can be kept in an aquarium; males can be identified by their elongated first dorsal spine.

They are reef safe and will not harm corals, but may nip at small invertebrates.