Paul Burton
05-07-04, 15:51
Family: Callionymidae
Common Name: Mandarin Fish/Psychedelic Fish
Latin Name: Synchiropus picturatus
Other Common
Members: Synchiropus splendidus
Habitat: Mandarins are most notably found around the Philippines, however, their range spans to Australia’s western coast. They are generally found on the reef and are usually close to sandy areas in between reef crests, where they are found in small groups or in pairs.
Breeding: Captive spawning has been reported in a number of private aquariums, but as with most larval fish, the young are very hard to feed and thus, do not survive for long. Breeding takes place by way of a courtship display where the male and female circle each other, rising to the top of the water column where they release their eggs and sperm. These fish are fairly easy to sex, the male is slightly larger and has a much longer first dorsal spine than the female.
Feeding: Mandarin’s are highly predatory carnivores, luckily though they have very small mouths and prey mainly on Copepods, Isopods, Amphipods and other tiny crustaceans. It is possible to ‘train’ these fish to take frozen food, but they can do well without direct feeding, spending all day roaming the rockwork hunting micro fauna, with this in mind, a system with an abundance of mature live rock is a necessity to keep this species.
Captive Care: Moderate - Difficult
Lots of mature live rock is a must!
Do not purchase specimens with a sunken belly
Sensitive to water quality
Grows to 3” in captivity
Placid, reef safe
Behaviour: One of the most attractive fish available in the hobby, spends its time ‘hovering’ around the rockwork in search of food which it targets with its large, pronounced eyes. Non-aggressive to tank mates. Males are highly territorial and aggressive to other males of the same species.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/mrandmrsmandarin1161203ii.jpg
Again Lisa Page's great pics of her breeding pair!
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/mrmandarin7161203.jpg
Common Name: Mandarin Fish/Psychedelic Fish
Latin Name: Synchiropus picturatus
Other Common
Members: Synchiropus splendidus
Habitat: Mandarins are most notably found around the Philippines, however, their range spans to Australia’s western coast. They are generally found on the reef and are usually close to sandy areas in between reef crests, where they are found in small groups or in pairs.
Breeding: Captive spawning has been reported in a number of private aquariums, but as with most larval fish, the young are very hard to feed and thus, do not survive for long. Breeding takes place by way of a courtship display where the male and female circle each other, rising to the top of the water column where they release their eggs and sperm. These fish are fairly easy to sex, the male is slightly larger and has a much longer first dorsal spine than the female.
Feeding: Mandarin’s are highly predatory carnivores, luckily though they have very small mouths and prey mainly on Copepods, Isopods, Amphipods and other tiny crustaceans. It is possible to ‘train’ these fish to take frozen food, but they can do well without direct feeding, spending all day roaming the rockwork hunting micro fauna, with this in mind, a system with an abundance of mature live rock is a necessity to keep this species.
Captive Care: Moderate - Difficult
Lots of mature live rock is a must!
Do not purchase specimens with a sunken belly
Sensitive to water quality
Grows to 3” in captivity
Placid, reef safe
Behaviour: One of the most attractive fish available in the hobby, spends its time ‘hovering’ around the rockwork in search of food which it targets with its large, pronounced eyes. Non-aggressive to tank mates. Males are highly territorial and aggressive to other males of the same species.
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/mrandmrsmandarin1161203ii.jpg
Again Lisa Page's great pics of her breeding pair!
http://www.ultimatereef.net/uploads/mrmandarin7161203.jpg