Fishician®Diet
Carnivore – live copepods primarily; can be trained to frozen copepods/mysis with patience
Aquarium species profile
Mandarin Dragonet
Synchiropus splendidus · Western Pacific (Philippines, Indonesia, Australia)
Minimum tank30 gal (refugium + live rock essential)
Adult size3"
Care levelExpert
TemperamentPeaceful
Temperature72–78°F
pH range8.1–8.4
Compatible tank mates
Other peaceful reef fish; small gobies, firefish, clownfish
Tank mates to avoid
Aggressive feeders that outcompete it, large predatory fish
Care notes
One of the most beautiful marine fish. Very difficult to feed—requires large, established refugium with copepod population. Starvation is the #1 cause of death. Buy only captive-bred or trained specimens.
Check the whole aquarium. Tank size alone does not establish compatibility. Confirm adult size, water overlap, social grouping, territory, diet, and the individual animals before stocking.