Water parameters
Overview
The spotted mandarin is a close relative of the mandarinfish (Synchiropus splendidus); instead of wavy patterns, its greenish body carries large spots surrounded by orange, green and black rings. It hops over rocks and sand and picks small crustaceans all day. Its care is difficult: most specimens sold are wild-caught and eat almost only live copepods and amphipods; in a new aquarium they starve to death. If you can find individuals trained to prepared food, choose them.
Tank Setup
- At least 300 liters; a mature aquarium at least 6 months old with plenty of live rock.
- Salinity specific gravity 1.023–1.026, pH 8.1–8.4, temperature 24–27°C.
- Reef-safe; it leaves corals and invertebrates alone.
- A refugium with macroalgae sustains copepod production; supplement with live copepod cultures.
Diet
Carnivorous; its main food is copepods and amphipods. Some individuals can learn to take live or frozen brine shrimp and small mysis from a feeding dish. A sunken belly is a sign of starvation.
Behavior and Compatibility
Peaceful and slow. It is kept as a single specimen or as a pair of one male and one female; two males fight. The main problem is competition for food.
Good companions: Clownfish, cardinalfish, firefish goby, chromis, cleaner shrimp.
Avoid: Other mandarins and dragonets, other copepod-eating fish, aggressive damsels, dottybacks.
A short profile for this species
The Spotted Mandarin page has the basics, but the sections below have not been written yet. If you keep this species, write a section from your own experience; it will be published under your name after editor approval.
Tank mates
This list is calculated automatically from the species profile and grows as new species are added to the catalog. Try it in the planner for a definite answer.
Should not be kept together
Hobbyist notes
Things you won't find in books, learned by trial and error. The most helpful ones are on top.
Change history and contributors
- Page created · October 16, 2026