The Green Mandarin (Synchiropus splendidus), also known as the Mandarinfish or Mandarin Dragonet, is a small brightly colored member of the dragonet family. It is popular in the saltwater aquarium trade.

Distribution and Habitat

The Green Mandarin is native to the Pacific, ranging approximately from the Ryukyu Islands south to Australia. It prefers sheltered lagoons and inshore reefs. While slow-moving and fairly common within its range, it is not easily seen due to its bottom-feeding habit and small size.

Physical Description

The Green Mandarin reaches only about 6 cm (2.4 in) in length. It is one of only two vertebrate species known to have blue coloring because of cellular pigment. The name cyanophore was proposed for the blue chromatophores. Its vivid coloration evokes the robes of an Imperial Chinese mandarin, giving the species its common name.

Diet and Feeding

The Green Mandarin has a mixed diet that consists of harpacticoid copepods, polychaete worms, small gastropods, gammaridean amphipods, fish eggs, and ostracods. In the wild feeding is continuous during daytime. In captivity it can be challenging to feed and requires a well-established tank with abundant copepod populations or frequent feedings of live foods.

Behavior and Reproduction

The Green Mandarin is peaceful and bottom-dwelling. It is quite harmless to humans and peaceful with other species. This species has been bred in captivity.

Aquarium Care

It requires a tank of at least 30 gallons with abundant live rock and a well-established copepod population. It is considered reef-safe. It is peaceful and can be kept with a variety of tankmates. It can be difficult to feed in captivity and may require live foods such as copepods.

Conservation Status

Classified as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List.