What size tank does a Mandarin Dragonet need?

A Mandarin Dragonet needs a minimum tank size of 30 gallons. A 55-gallon tank or larger is recommended for optimal health.

What fish can live with Mandarin Dragonet?

Compatible tank mates for Mandarin Dragonet include: Blue Green Chromis, Pink Skunk Clownfish, Skunk Clownfish, Orange Skunk Clownfish, Talbot's Damselfish. Always ensure adequate tank size and proper water parameters.

Mandarin Dragonet

Q: Is Mandarin Dragonet easy to care for?

Mandarin Dragonet has a advanced care level. Requires a mature tank (6+ months) with a large population of copepods in the live rock and refugium. Most specimens refuse prepared foods. Captive-bred individuals are easier to feed. Keep only one male per tank.

Synchiropus splendidus

Also known as: Mandarin Goby, Mandarin Fish, Green Mandarin, Psychedelic Fish

🧂 Saltwater ✌️ Peaceful 🔴 Advanced 🥩 Carnivore Reef Safe

Arguably the most beautiful marine fish, with psychedelic swirls of blue, orange, and green across a scaleless body covered in a bitter mucus coating. Slow-moving and methodical, it picks at live rock for tiny copepods.

Tank Size

30 gal

minimum (55+ preferred)

Temperature

74–82°F

23–28°C

pH Range

8.1–8.4

water acidity

Max Size

7.6 cm

Lifespan

5–10 years

typical in captivity

Swim Level

Bottom

preferred zone

Care Notes

Requires a mature tank (6+ months) with a large population of copepods in the live rock and refugium. Most specimens refuse prepared foods. Captive-bred individuals are easier to feed. Keep only one male per tank.

Feeding

Primarily live copepods and amphipods. Captive-bred specimens may accept frozen cyclops, baby brine shrimp, and TDO pellets. Supplement pod population with a refugium.

Compatible Tank Mates

Blue Green Chromis 3" Pink Skunk Clownfish 3.5" Skunk Clownfish 4" Orange Skunk Clownfish 4.5" Talbot's Damselfish 2.5" Lubbock's Fairy Wrasse 3" Melanurus Wrasse 5" Cleaner Wrasse 4" Yellow Coris Wrasse 5" Carpenter's Flasher Wrasse 3" Firefish Goby 3" Yellow Watchman Goby 4"

Use Caution With

Ocellaris Clownfish 3" True Percula Clownfish 3" Yellowtail Damselfish 2.5" Blue Tang 12" Yellow Tang 8" Kole Tang 7" Clarkii Clownfish 5" Tomato Clownfish 5" Scopas Tang 8" Convict Tang 8" Azure Damselfish 2.5" Springer's Damselfish 2"

Incompatible With

Maroon Clownfish 6" Blue Devil Damselfish 3" Powder Blue Tang 9" Naso Tang 18" Achilles Tang 10" Purple Tang 10" Three Stripe Damselfish 3" Domino Damselfish 5" Four Stripe Damselfish 3" Jewel Damselfish 6" Blonde Naso Tang 16" Desjardin's Sailfin Tang 16"

Check Compatibility

Want to check if Mandarin Dragonet is compatible with a specific fish? Use our compatibility checker to build your complete tank.