Mandarin Fish

About Mandarin Fish

One of the most beautiful fish in the ocean with psychedelic blue and orange patterns. Famous for their twilight mating dances.

Quick Facts

• Habitat: Sheltered lagoons and coral rubble in the western Pacific, typically 1-18m depth
• Diet: Tiny crustaceans, worms, and fish eggs
• Best season: Year-round, mating dances happen nightly at dusk

Fun Facts

Their vibrant colours come from pigment cells unique in the fish world,They produce a toxic, foul-tasting mucus instead of having scales,Males perform an elaborate dance to attract females each evening at sunset,They are one of only two vertebrates to produce blue pigment rather than reflecting blue structurally

Diving Tips

Visit known mandarin fish sites at sunset. They emerge from rubble as light fades. Use red light to avoid disturbing them.