Mandarin dragonet
Synchiropus splendidus
Mandarin dragonet (Synchiropus splendidus) is a marine species with an adult-size reference of about 8 cm. It needs at least 250 litres and one individual, with its social and territorial profile taken into account.
Temperatura da água
24 - 28 °C
Valor de pH
8.1 - 8.4
Tipo de água
Marinho
Nível do tanque
Parte inferior e intermediária
Tamanho adulto
8 cm
Volume mínimo do tanque
>= 250 L
Grupo mínimo
>= 1
Descrição da espécie
Geographical Origin and Habitat: A marine species; the enclosure should provide stability, oxygenation, space and shelter consistent with its behaviour without turning one habitat description into a mandatory recipe.
Taxonomy and Morphology: The accepted scientific name is Synchiropus splendidus; the verified classification records genus Synchiropus, family Callionymidae, order Callionymiformes. Historical names remain searchable as synonyms rather than separate species.
Social Behavior: Mandarin dragonet is normally kept as a single individual and does not require conspecifics. The minimum reference is one individual; sex, maturity and available space can require a more conservative composition. Observe access to food, resting behaviour, chasing and use of shelter. Isolation, persistent competition or aggression means the number, composition or environment needs to be corrected.
Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Colour and shape can vary with age, sex, physiological state and environmental conditions. Identification and sexing require recognized species-level characters; one appearance or photograph is not enough.
Cuidado, criação e companheiros de tanque
Aquarium Setup: Mandarin dragonet needs an aquarium of at least 250 litres, sized for adult body size and a minimum group of one individual. Filtration, shelter and swimming room must match the species and the actual number kept. Volume alone does not make an enclosure suitable: tank shape and length, usable area, oxygenation and the ability to separate territories must reflect adult behaviour.
Diet and Feeding: The recorded diet is omnivorous. Offer appropriately sized foods varied within that category, and adjust quantity and frequency from actual intake, body condition and leftovers. One food or a fixed schedule is not suitable for every age and situation.
Water Quality: Maintain stable, well-oxygenated water appropriate to a marine species; the card's reference values are 24–28 °C, pH 8.1–8.4. Verify conditions with reliable tests and size maintenance and filtration to the actual load. Ranges are not automatic thresholds for treatment or rapid chemical correction.
Compatibility and Cohabitation: The cohabitation profile is reef-safe, with a generally peaceful temperament. Keep at least one individual; tankmates, stocking density and decor must allow escape, rest and feeding without excessive competition. Watch interactions especially during feeding, maturity and breeding. Persistent chasing, injury or exclusion from food requires a change in stocking or layout, or separation of the animals.
Aquarium Breeding: The recorded reproductive profile is “oviparity”. Breeding should be attempted only with healthy adults, separation capacity and a plan for eggs or young. Do not treat unverified triggers, sex ratios or hatch times as universal for this species.
Risks and Diseases: Prevent problems through quarantine of new arrivals, stable water, appropriate feeding and daily observation. Similar signs can have different causes, so check parameters, history and diagnosis before medication. Follow the product label and qualified aquatic-veterinary advice; there is no universal reduced dose for a species or family.
Origem e distribuição geográfica
A marine species; the enclosure should provide stability, oxygenation, space and shelter consistent with its behaviour without turning one habitat description into a mandatory recipe.
Origem
Oceanos tropicais e recifes
Perfil de peixe
- Temperamento
- Peaceful
- Mandarin dragonet has a generally peaceful temperament. Insufficient space, an unsuitable social ratio or incompatible tankmates can substantially change observed behaviour.
- Dieta
- Omnivore
- They are strict micro-predators, feeding almost entirely on live benthic copepods and amphipods found on live rock and sand. The vast majority of Mandarins will slowly starve to death if placed in a new or undersized aquarium without a booming pod population. While some individuals can be trained to accept frozen foods, a massive live pod population remains essential.
- Expectativa de vida
- 10-15 years
- Tamanho adulto
- 8 cm
- Proporção sexual
- Solitary
- Mandarin dragonet is normally kept as a single individual and does not require conspecifics. The reference minimum is one individual and must not be read as permission to overcrowd the aquarium.
- Frequência de alimentação
- Twice daily
- Mandarins are continuous grazers that spend every daylight hour meticulously hunting for tiny prey. Because their digestive system is designed for constant, small meals, they must have access to thousands of live copepods daily. Feeding them a single large meal of prepared food is insufficient to maintain their health over the long term.
- Carga biológica
- Medium
- The Green Mandarin has an extraordinarily low bioload, making them exceptionally clean additions to the reef aquarium. They excrete very little waste, meaning they do not burden the biological filtration or negatively impact nitrate levels. Their primary requirement is not high-capacity filtration, but rather a massive, highly established live rock ecosystem to support their diet.
- Fluxo
- Strong
- They are well-adapted to the varied, moderate-to-strong currents of typical reef environments. They 'walk' or hover just above the substrate using their pectoral fins, remaining stable even in high flow. Good water movement also ensures a healthy live rock ecosystem, which is vital for their food source.
- Risco de salto
- No
- Reprodução
- Oviparous
- They are known to spawn in home aquariums, performing a beautiful, spiraling courtship dance toward the surface at dusk. The eggs are broadcast directly into the water column, making captive rearing extremely challenging. Raising the microscopic fry requires dedicated culture systems for rotifers and highly specialized care.
- Compatibilidade e companheiros de tanque
- Reef safe
- The cohabitation profile is reef-safe, with a generally peaceful temperament. Keep at least one individual; tankmates, stocking density and decor must allow escape, rest and feeding without excessive competition. Watch interactions especially during feeding, maturity and breeding. Persistent chasing, injury or exclusion from food requires a change in stocking or layout, or separation of the animals.
- Nível do tanque
- Middle/Bottom
- They are dedicated bottom dwellers, spending their time hovering right above the substrate or perching on the live rock. They rarely venture into the open water column, preferring to stay close to their food source. Their unique 'helicopter' swimming style keeps them low and secure among the reef structure.
Modelos e parâmetros científicos
FishBase
Acesso aos dados científicos oficiais da espécie
FishBase Catalog curation 2026-05-09Dados sincronizados em: 15/06/2026
- Nível trófico
- 3,3 ± 0,4 se
- Resiliência
- Alta (menos de 15 meses)
- Unicidade filogenética (PD50)
- 0.5
- Relação bayesiana comprimento-peso
- a = 0.01148, b = 3.02
- VulnerabilidadeVulnerabilidade baixa (10 / 100)
Galeria de imagens
Imagens licenciadas vinculadas à espécie ou, quando marcadas, ao táxon representativo mais próximo.
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