Green Finned Red Mandarin Dragonet

The green finned red mandarin dragonet is a red colour form of Synchiropus splendidus. Its intricate pattern is striking, but long-term success depends on dependable access to small prey rather than colour alone.

Prepare a mature aquarium with extensive rock surfaces and a sustained supply of suitable live microcrustaceans. Offer small frozen foods only as the individual demonstrates acceptance, and continue monitoring nutrition even if it takes an occasional prepared meal. A fish that pecks around the rocks throughout the day can still run short of food.

Choose calm companions that do not compete relentlessly for the same prey. Other mandarins require careful assessment, particularly when their sex is unknown. Check the available fish's feeding history before purchase and plan how to maintain its food supply after the aquarium's initial prey population has been grazed.