Mandarinfish

Synchiropus splendidus

Size: 5–8 cm · 5–20 g
Diet: Carnivore
Activity: Cathemeral
Sociality: Loose group
Lifespan: 5-20 years

The mandarinfish is a small, brilliantly colored reef fish of the Indian and Pacific oceans. Active across day and night, it works through reef crevices for tiny prey.

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Key facts

Mandarinfish (Synchiropus splendidus) is a carnivore animal classified as Fish · Syngnathiformes · Callionymidae.
Primary habitats are coral reef, with a range across Indian Ocean · Pacific Ocean.
Activity is cathemeral, sociality is loose group, and conservation status is LC (Least Concern).
The mandarinfish is a small, brilliantly colored reef fish of the Indian and Pacific oceans.
It lives in coral reefs, lagoons, rubble, and shallow areas with branching coral.
Typical lifespan: 5-20 years

Sources

wikidata.org

Range

Habitat range map

Native rangeOccasional / Transient

Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)

Details

Habitat

It lives in coral reefs, lagoons, rubble, and shallow areas with branching coral. Abundant cover and rich small invertebrate life are important.

Appearance

Length is about 5-8 cm and weight about 5-20 g. Blue, orange, and green maze-like markings, smooth skin, and broad pectoral fins stand out.

Behavior

It moves singly or loosely spaced near the bottom, often with short hopping motions. During breeding, pairs may rise together into the water column near dusk.

Feeding

It is carnivorous, picking tiny crustaceans, worms, and other small benthic animals. It searches continuously over coral rubble and sand.

Reproduction

Pairs release eggs and sperm while rising from the reef. Eggs and larvae drift before young settle back into bottom habitat.

Notes

Its status is listed as Least Concern. Its colors make it popular, but in the wild it depends on healthy reefs rich in tiny live foods.