The Spotted Mandarin, also referred to as the Spotted Mandarinfish, Psychedelic Mandarinfish, Psychedelic Fish, or Picture Dragonet, was first found in the Western Pacific Ocean in 1976 by Peters. 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 aquariums 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.
Approximate Purchase Size: Small: 1" to 1-1/2"; Medium: 1-1/2" to 2-1/2"; Large: 2-1/2" to 4"
Testimonial By:
Testimonial:
Bob Smidt San Diego, CA
I have been keeping this species off and on for about 20 years. I believe all Mandarin fish are easy to keep. Their only requirement is a well-established tank. In my 70-gallon set up, they don't even need to be fed. They hunt copepods and amphipods in the sand and rock all day. The most important factor in success, other than the tank, is a healthy animal to start with. Avoid fish with depressed abdomens. Mandarin fish are usually well tolerated by other fish. They are famous for not tolerating each other.
