Mandarin Dragonet

Mandarin Dragonet Care Guide

Glossary:
  1. Care Guide & Requirements
  2. Reef Safe
  3. Prices
  4. Food & Diet
  5. Facts
  6. Tank Mates & Environment
  7. FAQs

The Mandarin dragonet, with the scientific name of Synchiropus splendidus and also going by the Mandarinfish or Mandarin goby, is a colorful fish that looks great in nearly any tank. Although potentially poisonous when touched or ingested, they’re generally safe to keep and very peaceful fish.

Want to find out whether this fish is right for you? Read on in our care guide and discover whether this fish is a good fit for your tank.

Is the Mandarin dragonet reef safe?

The fact is that the Mandarin dragonet is extremely reef-safe. This fish won’t attack other corals, invertebrates, or fish in a reef environment.

Mandarin dragonet food and diet

The Mandarin dragonet is a carnivorous fish that feeds on many copepods and amphipods. Additionally, it will feed on other invertebrates such as fish eggs, snails, and bristle worms. Keep in mind that this fish tends to prefer live food and won’t take to prepared or frozen foods.

In rare cases, you might be able to introduce frozen food or pellets to this fish.

Mandarin dragonet FAQs

Are Mandarin dragonets hard to keep?

The main reason why this fish may be difficult to keep is its strict diet. You need to feed it right or it will be difficult to maintain and keep healthy. However, if you can master its diet, this fish won’t provide much of a challenge for you.

Can you keep Mandarin fish together?

Like many other fish species, the Mandarin dragonet tends to get aggressive toward other members of its own species. However, you may be able to keep two Mandarin fish together as a pair, but this could make it more difficult to feed both of them sufficiently.

How big do Mandarin dragonets get?

These fish are among the smaller species out there, with most only growing to around three inches in length, although some may grow as long as four inches. The males are normally larger than the females of this species. Despite their small size, their active nature makes it important to keep them in a tank that’s at least 30 gallons in size.

Mandarin dragonet price

The Mandarin dragonet isn’t a particularly expensive fish, but the price may vary depending on where you look. You can typically find this fish for around no more than $20, but some places sell them for much more. Your best bet is to shop around, find the right price for you, and learn about each store’s reputation before making a purchase.

Mandarin dragonet facts

Here are a few facts about the Mandarin dragonet that might interest you:

  1. In the wild, you’ll find the Mandarin dragonet in the Western Pacific Ocean. They live anywhere from the coasts of Australia to Hong Kong. Their habitat is either a lagoon or reef where they function as bottom-feeders.
  2. While pretty to look at, the Mandarin dragonet is actually a poisonous fish. You should avoid touching this fish as it has tiny spines that can poison people and other fish with toxic mucous, but the poison is ineffective as long as you don’t ingest it or get it into an open wound. Its mucous is also odorous to keep predators and parasites away.
  3. The Mandarin dragonet can live a long fruitful life in the wild, but its lifespan tends to drop in captivity. While wild Mandarins live an average of 10 to 15 years, their captive counterparts only tend to stay around for two to four years.

What other fish are the best tank mates for the Mandarin dragonet?

The Mandarin dragonet isn’t aggressive and tends to be easy to get along with when mixed with other fish. However, it can become aggressive toward other Mandarin dragonets unless it’s part of a male-female pair.

For the best results in a community tank, consider some of the following tank mates for your Mandarin dragonet:

  • Clownfish
  • Gobies
  • Pajama cardinalfish
  • Dartfish

Where to buy Mandarin dragonets

Searching for a place to buy Mandarin dragonets? You’ll find them at the following stores, among others:

The Mandarin dragonet is a potentially great fish to add to your tank. If you can keep it satiated with its strict diet, you’ll likely find this species to be a worthwhile complement that looks great and entertains.