Red Mandarin Dragonet

Red Mandarin Dragonet (Synchiropus splendidus variant): Brilliantly colored dragonet with deep red body, blue‑green striping, and psychedelic patterning Closely related to the classic Green Mandarin, differing mainly in hue and intensity Native to the Western Pacific and Indo‑Pacific coral reefs Peaceful, slow‑moving grazer that spends its time hunting microfauna on rock and sand Temperament & Reef Safety Fully reef‑safe; does not harm corals or desirable invertebrates Gentle and non‑aggressive toward other fish May show mild territorial behavior toward other dragonets in small tanks Tank Requirements Minimum 30 gallons; larger systems preferred for pod stability Mature reef (9–12+ months) with abundant live rock and refugium support Gentle to moderate flow; avoid strong currents that hinder grazing Stable reef parameters: 76–78°F, salinity 1.025–1.026, pH 8.1–8.4, nitrate <10 ppm Diet Carnivore — feeds on copepods, amphipods, and small worms Often reluctant to accept prepared foods Can be trained to take Nutramar Ova, frozen cyclops, enriched baby brine, or finely shaved mysis Maintain a self‑sustaining pod population or supplement live pods regularly Compatibility Excellent with peaceful reef fish: gobies, cardinals, clowns, firefish Avoid aggressive feeders or pod‑hungry wrasses Best kept singly or as a male‑female pair in large, pod‑rich systems Why Hobbyists Love It Striking red coloration and hypnotic patterning Peaceful, reef‑safe nature Adds motion and color to mature reef displays