Mandarin Dragonet — Synchiropus splendidus

Specialist micro-predator. High risk of starvation if the tank lacks pods.

Quick facts

• Size: 6–8 cm

• Temperament: Peaceful

• Reef-safe: Yes

• Minimum tank: 120+ l (with strong pod production)

• Lifespan: 5–10 years with proper feeding

Aquarium requirements

• Mature system: 9–12 months old or older, heavy live rock.

• Refugium/pod farm: Strongly recommended. Chaeto refugium or pod hotel helps.

• Water: pH 8.1–8.4, salinity 1.025–1.026, temp 24–26 °C; NH3/NO2 0, NO3 <15 ppm.

• Flow: Low–moderate with many grazing surfaces.

• Cover: Recommended.

Diet

• Primary: Live copepods and amphipods all day. Needs continuous availability.

• Supplement: Enriched baby brine, Calanus, fish roe, finely chopped mysis; many individuals refuse prepared foods.

• Captive-bred: Often accept frozen/pellets; strongly preferred.

• Feeding strategy: Seed pods regularly, run refugium, target-feed at rockwork, use feeding stations or turkey baster.

Behavior and compatibility

• Keeping: One per tank unless true pair in a large, pod-rich system.

• Tankmates: Peaceful fish only. Avoid pod competitors (e.g., leopard and sixline wrasses) and boisterous species.

• Activity: Constant grazer; low bioload impact if fed.

Acclimation and health

• Quarantine: Optional but tricky. Copper is risky; tank-transfer method or observational QT preferred.

• Disease: Thick slime coat lowers ich susceptibility, not immunity.

• Condition check: Sunken belly = malnutrition. Do not buy if pinched in.

Breeding notes

• Dusk spawning ascent; pelagic eggs and larvae. Rearing requires dedicated setup.

Buyer’s checklist

• Prefer captive-bred, eating frozen or small pellets.

• Verify it actively pecks at rock and has a rounded belly.

• Ensure your system produces pods before purchase.