Spotted Mandarin, Synchiropus picturatus
Spotted Mandarin, Synchiropus picturatus
Spotted Mandarin also known as the Psychedelic Mandarin, Picture Mandarin or Picturesque Dragonet are found from the Philippines, eastern Indonesia and northwest Australia.
The head, fins, and body are a psychedelic combination of blue, orange, and black spots on a green base. Males may be distinguished from females by their more-elongated first dorsal spine. It requires a 30 gallon or larger aquarium with live substrate and plenty of hiding places. It is moderately hardy in reef aquarium if given special care. It is not overly aggressive towards other fish, except for conspecifics.
The Spotted Mandarin has been known to spawn successfully in an aquarium. The diet should consist of a variety of live vitamin-enriched brine shrimp and live black worms. It will eat natural prey off live rock and live sand.