Green Mandarin Dragonet

Synchiropus splendidus, the Green Mandarin Dragonet, is widely considered the most beautifully coloured fish in the world. Its intricate green, blue, and orange maze-pattern is produced by blue chromatophores rather than pigment, making it structurally coloured and iridescent. Wild-caught mandarin dragonets are notoriously difficult — they feed almost exclusively on live copepods. However, captive-bred specimens from specialist breeders have been trained to accept frozen mysis, dramatically improving survival rates. Captive-bred recommended.

Captive-bred specimens strongly preferred. Mature reef with copepod population. Feed frozen mysis (captive-bred) or live copepod supplement (wild-caught). Standard reef parameters. Keep one male per tank (male has elongated dorsal spine). Must not be kept with aggressive feeders. Peaceful with all others.