Synchiropus splendidus

Mandarin Fish

6-8 cm
5-10 år
Livskraftig
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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.

Storlek

6-8 cm

Vikt

Mindre än 10 gram

Livslängd

5-10 år

Status

Livskraftig

Var du hittar dem

Bästa dykplatser

Lembeh Strait, IndonesienMalapascua, FilippinernaRaja Ampat, IndonesienPalauYap, MikronesienSalomonöarnaKomodo, Indonesien

Dyktips

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.

Bästa säsong

Year-round, mating dances happen nightly at dusk

Livsmiljö

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

Föda

Tiny crustaceans, worms, and fish eggs
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Roliga fakta

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

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