Mandarin Dragonet – Blue/Green (Wild Caught)

Also known as the Green Mandarin or Mandarin Goby

The Blue/Green Mandarin Dragonet is a spectacular and iconic species that showcases some of the most vibrant and intricate coloration in the marine aquarium hobby. Native to the Western Pacific, from the Philippines to Australia, this small dragonet features mesmerizing electric blue, green, and orange patterns that seem almost hand-painted. Wild-caught specimens display authentic natural coloration and behaviors, but require established systems with abundant microfauna populations, making them suitable only for experienced aquarists with mature reef systems and proper feeding strategies.

Key Features

• Scientific Name: Synchiropus splendidus
• Common Names: Mandarin Dragonet, Green Mandarin, Mandarin Goby, Psychedelic Fish
• Adult Size: 3–4 inches (7–10 cm); commonly 2.5–3 inches in aquariums
• Lifespan: 5–10 years with proper care (requires excellent husbandry)
• Temperament: Peaceful and shy; slow-moving and docile
• Reef Compatibility: Completely reef-safe – ideal for mature reef aquariums
• Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons minimum (75+ gallons strongly recommended)
• Experience Level: Advanced – requires established system with thriving microfauna population

Habitat & Tank Requirements

Natural Habitat: Found in sheltered lagoons, coral reefs, and rubble areas at depths of 3–60 feet. Spends most time slowly hopping along substrate searching for microfauna.

Tank Environment:

• Mature system (9–12+ months established) essential
• Abundant live rock with thriving copepod/amphipod population required
• Refugium with copepod culture highly recommended
• Sandy substrate or fine rubble bottom
• Peaceful tankmates only
• Multiple hiding spots and crevices
• Low to moderate water flow
• Standard reef lighting

Water Parameters:

• Temperature: 74–80°F (23–27°C)
• Salinity: 1.023–1.025 specific gravity
• pH: 8.1–8.4
• Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm
• Nitrate: <10 ppm (excellent water quality essential)
• Alkalinity: 8–12 dKH

Diet & Feeding

Recommended Foods (Wild-Caught Challenge):

• Live copepods, amphipods, microfauna (primary diet in wild)
• Fresh/frozen mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp (may accept with training)
• Frozen cyclops, baby brine shrimp
• High-quality carnivore pellets (small, slow-sinking – rarely accepted initially)
• Regular copepod supplementation or cultures essential
• Training to prepared foods requires patience and may not succeed

Feeding Schedule:

• Continuous foraging throughout day (natural behavior)
• Supplement with frozen foods 2–3 times daily if accepting
• Regular copepod additions (weekly to bi-weekly)
• Slow eater; ensure no feeding competition
• May take weeks to months to accept prepared foods, if ever

Behavior & Compatibility

Tank Mates:

• Compatible with: Clownfish, gobies (peaceful), blennies, firefish, dartfish, cardinalfish, anthias, peaceful wrasses, small peaceful tangs, all peaceful community fish
• Caution with: Other dragonets (males territorial), aggressive feeders, species that compete for copepods (wrasses, anthias in large numbers)
• Avoid: Aggressive species, large predators, other male Mandarin dragonets, tanks with heavy copepod predation

Social Behavior:

• Very peaceful and docile
• Males territorial toward other male dragonets
• Can be kept in male/female pairs
• Slow, deliberate hopping movement along substrate
• Spends most time foraging on live rock and sand
• Shy initially; wild specimens may remain wary
• Males display larger dorsal fin and brighter colors

Reef Compatibility: Completely reef-safe with all corals, anemones, and sessile invertebrates. Safe with all ornamental shrimp and invertebrates. Will not harm any fish or invertebrates; only consumes microfauna.

Color & Development

Coloration: Electric blue base with intricate green, orange, and yellow wavy lines and patterns creating psychedelic appearance; orange and blue on face and fins; patterns unique to each individual like fingerprints; wild specimens display natural color variation and intensity.

Color Intensity:

• Adequate microfauna diet maintains vibrant colors
• Wild specimens show authentic natural coloration
• Starvation causes rapid color fading (critical warning sign)
• Colors become more intense with maturity in well-fed specimens
• Males typically more colorful than females
• Excellent water quality essential for optimal appearance

Size & Growth:

• Wild-caught specimens typically available at 2–3 inches
• Slow growth rate
• Often near adult size when collected

Why Choose a Quarantined Wild-Caught Mandarin?

A properly quarantined wild-caught Mandarin Dragonet is a healthier specimen that has been observed, treated, and assessed for feeding behavior. Our quarantine protocol includes 4–6 weeks minimum observation, preventative parasite treatment, copepod-enriched environment during quarantine, feeding behavior assessment (critical for wild specimens), and training attempts with prepared foods when possible.

These breathtaking dragonets combine absolutely spectacular psychedelic coloration with peaceful nature and mesmerizing foraging behavior. However, their specialized dietary needs make them suitable only for experienced aquarists with properly established systems. Consider captive-bred specimens for dramatically improved survival rates and easier feeding, or be fully prepared to maintain thriving microfauna populations indefinitely for wild-caught individuals.