Synchiropus splendidus

Mandarin Fish

6-8 cm
5-10 vuotta
Elinvoimainen
Tietoa

Mandarin Fish

The mandarin fish is widely considered one of the most beautiful fish in the ocean, with its psychedelic swirls of blue, green, orange, and purple. These tiny, shy dragonets emerge at dusk to perform their remarkable mating dance, rising in pairs from the coral rubble in a brief but magical display.

Koko

6-8 cm

Paino

Alle 10 grammaa

Elinikä

5-10 vuotta

Suojelutila

Elinvoimainen

Missä niitä löytää

Parhaat sukelluskohteet

Lembeh Strait, IndonesiaMalapascua, FilippiinitRaja Ampat, IndonesiaPalauYap, MikronesiaSalomonsaaretKomodo, Indonesia

Sukellusvinkit

Visit known mandarin fish sites at sunset. They emerge from rubble as light fades. Use red light to avoid disturbing them and avoid flash photography during mating. Patience is key—wait quietly and they'll emerge within minutes.

Paras kausi

Year-round, mating dances happen nightly at dusk

Elinympäristö

Sheltered lagoons and coral rubble in the western Pacific, typically 1-18m depth

Ravinto

Tiny crustaceans, worms, and fish eggs
Tiesitkö?

Hauskoja faktoja

1

Their vibrant colours come from pigment cells unique in the fish world

2

They produce a toxic, foul-tasting mucus instead of having scales

3

Males perform an elaborate dance to attract females each evening at sunset

4

They are one of only two vertebrates to produce blue pigment rather than reflecting blue structurally

Aloita seikkailusi

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