The mandarin fish Synchiropus splendidus are among the most beautiful residents in the world marine aquarium. Their natural home is the Indian Ocean and parts of the Pacific. They can be found in Australia, Borneo (Kalimantan), Flores, Great Barrier Reef, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Micronesia, New Caledonia, Palau, Papua, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Raja Ampat, Ryukyu Islands, Solomon Islands, Solomon Islands , Sulawesi, Taiwan and Western Pacific.
The habitat of the small exotics are the tropical lagoons and coral reefs. There they prefer to stay in sandy and muddy areas in a water depth of three and five meters. They are busy all day long searching for food.
Look
The robust fish genus Synchiropus belongs to the dragonet family (Callionymidae). With their colorful body design, the small saltwater dwellers bring real exoticism to the aquarium. The basic color is blue to turquoise and covered with a varied pattern. The pattern consists of crooked lines, dots or spots. These are orange, yellow, blue, red or green and have a dark border.
A special feature of the mandarin fish is their skin. This does not consist of scales like other conspecifics, but of a firm, slimy and apparently poisonous skin. If the fish reaches the water surface and the air, it gives off an unpleasant odor Odor. Reasons for the equipment is the successful defense against enemies, parasites and diseases.
Another special feature is the type of locomotion. This does not work like most conspecifics by swimming, but gliding with the help of the pelvic fins.
attitude
The species-appropriate aquarium consists of sea water with a coral reef and a minimum size of 300 liters. It should be very well retracted and stocked with plenty of small animals. A fresh tank can be specifically inoculated with seawater copepods. Then the fish will find enough food at the beginning of the keeping, which it picks up from the substrate and stones.
The fish needs enough space to swim. A sandy bottom and stones are suitable for foraging for food. Stone structures and roots provide safe hiding places to rest and observe.
food
Mandarin fish are very slow perennial eater and “peck” at animal food throughout the day. They prefer living small animals. These include: Artemia nauplii, Artemia (brine shrimp), enchytraen, amphipods (amphipods, gammarus), live food, mysis, copepods (copepods), saltwater fleas (Cladocera), worms (polychaetes, annelida, nematodes), zooplankton (animal plankton). The fish are very heavy on frozen food, pellets, etc. to accustom.
Since they are slow eaters, it is advisable to feed them several small meals a day.
gender differences
The males are significantly larger than the females when fully grown. Males have one for this longer first dorsal fin with the shape of a small sword.
breeding and rearing
Synchiropus splendidus can be bred offspring. When a pair is ready to breed, they perform one courtship dance in the twilight. The partners swim together in a tight spiral to the surface of the water. Once at the top, they release eggs and sperm.
socialization
A socialization with several males or other dragonet species is not advisable. The males are strong competitors and would fight to the death. Females don’t get along with each other either.
With species-appropriate keeping, the life expectancy of mandarin fish in the aquarium is up to about 7 years.
With us you get the exotic fish species exclusively from offspring!