Mandarin Fish Care Guide

Guida alla cura del pesce mandarino (drago al mandarino).

Saltwater aquariums are great because they offer so much color and life. Mandarin fish are one of the most attractive examples; they have lots of different colors and patterns stretched across their body.

Their appearance is what draws people in, but people sometimes bite off more than they can chew. Dragonets are fussy eaters, so their diet needs to be carefully controlled.

These dietary challenges can be difficult to overcome but once they are, this species is simple to care for.

Are you considering these fish? They will brighten up your aquarium and their peaceful nature will keep your other fish safe.

The mandarin dragonet (Synchiropus splendidus), sometimes known as the mandarin fish, is a popular saltwater fish for home aquariums. They are part of the Callionymidae family.

In the wild they’re native to the Pacific, stretching from the Ryukyu Islands to Australia. However, now they can be bought worldwide. Prices range from $20-40 depending on the size and colors of the fish. This is quite a popular species, so it shouldn’t be hard to find stock near you.

It’s popular because it’s one of the most colorful fish you can get. They brighten up any tank, but don’t be tempted to keep them in groups as they will fight with each other.

They are perfect for a reef-type tank, and work well in a community aquarium of similar sized fish.

~Typical Behavior~

They are slow-moving fish that spend a lot of their time at the bottom of the tank in the search of food.

Don’t expect too much activity from them, but that doesn’t mean you won’t enjoy watching them. Their patterns and designs are captivating.

Generally, this is a peaceful species that should ignore most fish around them. If anything, they can be quite shy, often choosing to hide away in caves.

Males often fight so they should be kept on their own, or in a pair of one male and one female.