Mandarin Dragonet – Red

Also known as the Mandarin Dragonet, Scarlet Mandarin or Red Mandarin Goby

The Red Mandarin is an exceptionally rare and stunning color variant that showcases brilliant red, orange, and yellow coloration instead of the typical blue-green pattern. Native to the Western Pacific, from the Philippines to Australia, this highly sought-after dragonet features vivid warm tones with intricate wavy patterns that create a breathtaking appearance. With identical care requirements to standard Mandarins but far greater rarity, Red Mandarins are prized additions for advanced aquarists with established reef systems and proper feeding strategies.

Key Features

• Scientific Name: Synchiropus splendidus (red color morph)
• Common Names: Red Mandarin, Scarlet Mandarin, Red Mandarin Dragonet
• Adult Size: 3–4 inches (7–10 cm); commonly 2.5–3 inches in aquariums
• Lifespan: 5–10 years with proper care
• 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 to Expert – requires established system and feeding plan

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:

• Live copepods, amphipods, microfauna (primary diet)
• Fresh/frozen mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp (if trained to accept)
• Frozen cyclops, baby brine shrimp
• High-quality carnivore pellets (small, slow-sinking – acceptance varies by specimen)
• Regular copepod supplementation or cultures essential
• Captive-bred specimens (when available) accept prepared foods more readily

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
• Training to prepared foods requires patience

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
• Avoid: Aggressive species, large predators, other male Mandarin dragonets, heavy copepod predators

Social Behavior:

• Very peaceful and docile
• Males territorial toward other male dragonets
• Can be kept in male/female pairs (extremely rare to find pairs)
• Slow, deliberate hopping movement along substrate
• Spends most time foraging on live rock and sand
• Shy initially but becomes bolder in peaceful tanks
• Males display larger dorsal fin

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: Brilliant red to scarlet base with intricate orange, yellow, and red-orange wavy lines and patterns; warm-toned face and fins; patterns unique to each individual; red coloration replaces the blue seen in standard morphs; absolutely breathtaking and extremely rare appearance.

Color Intensity:

• High-quality diet maintains vibrant red coloration
• Red morph significantly rarer than blue/green (1 in 100+ ratio)
• Starvation causes rapid color fading (critical warning sign)
• Colors become more intense with maturity in well-fed specimens
• Males typically show more vibrant coloration
• Excellent water quality essential for optimal appearance
• One of the most sought-after color morphs in marine fishkeeping

Size & Growth:

• Specimens typically available at 2–3 inches
• Slow growth rate
• Reaches adult size within 12–18 months
• Remains small throughout life

Why Choose a Quarantined Red Mandarin?

A properly quarantined Red Mandarin 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 success), and training attempts with prepared foods when possible.

These extraordinarily beautiful dragonets combine spectacular warm-toned coloration with peaceful nature and mesmerizing foraging behavior. Their extreme rarity and stunning red appearance make them among the most coveted fish in the hobby, but their specialized dietary needs make them suitable only for experienced aquarists with properly established systems and proven success maintaining standard Mandarin dragonets. The ultimate prize for dedicated dragonet enthusiasts seeking the rarest color variant of this iconic species.