Description
Spotted Mandarin (Synchiropus picturatus)
Overview
The Spotted Mandarin, also known as the Psychedelic Mandarin or Target Mandarin (Synchiropus picturatus), is a vibrant, small marine fish from the dragonet family (Callionymidae). Native to the Indo-West Pacific, including the Philippines, Indonesia, northwest Australia, and the Ryukyu Islands, it inhabits shallow reefs and lagoons. Its scaleless body displays a green base with striking black, blue, orange, and yellow spots, resembling a “target” pattern. Males have a longer first dorsal spine, though this may be damaged in wild-caught specimens. Growing to about 7 cm, it has a lifespan of 2–5 years in captivity, potentially up to 10–15 years under ideal conditions. Its peaceful, reef-safe nature makes it a favorite, but its specialized diet and need for a mature tank make it challenging for beginners. Captive-bred specimens are easier to care for, as they often accept prepared foods, unlike wild-caught ones.
Care Requirements
The Spotted Mandarin thrives in a stable, mature marine aquarium that mimics its natural reef habitat. It is not suited for novice aquarists or new tanks due to its reliance on live microfauna and sensitivity to water quality.
Tank Size: Minimum 115 liters for one fish; 190+ liters) recommended for pairs or to sustain copepod/amphipod populations.
Aquascaping: Provide ample live rock (45 kg per fish) for hiding, grazing, and pod habitats. Use a 5–7.5 cm fine sand or live sand substrate for perching/burying. Include caves, overhangs, and rubble piles; avoid sharp decor to protect fins. A refugium with macroalgae (e.g., chaetomorpha) boosts pod production.
Water Flow and Lighting: Low to moderate flow to support foraging; avoid turbulent SPS setups. Moderate lighting encourages pod growth on live rock.
Water Parameters:
- Temperature 22–26°C
- pH 8.1–8.4
- Salinity (SG) 1.020–1.025
- Alkalinity (dKH) 8–12
- Ammonia/Nitrite 0 ppm
- Nitrate <20 ppm (ideally <10 ppm)
- Phosphate <0.03 ppm
Tank Maturity: The tank must be 6–12 months mature to ensure a robust pod population before adding the fish.
Maintenance
Consistent maintenance is critical to support the Spotted Mandarin’s health and its food source.
- Filtration: Use live rock and a sump/refugium for biological filtration. A protein skimmer removes waste without harming pods. Avoid strong mechanical filters that deplete microfauna; use sponge pre-filters if necessary.
- Water Changes: 10–20% weekly with RO/DI water matched to tank parameters. Test weekly for nitrates/phosphates, as levels above 20 ppm nitrates can harm pods.
- Monitoring: Check daily for signs of starvation (sunken belly, lethargy) or stress (excess mucus, hiding).
- Quarantine new fish for 2–4 weeks; their slime coat offers some parasite resistance (e.g., ich).
- Supplement with live copepods if natural populations dwindle.
- Common Issues: Starvation is the leading cause of mortality. Maintain pod cultures and monitor water quality to prevent stress-related issues.
Diet
The Spotted Mandarin is a micro-predator, feeding primarily on live copepods, amphipods, ostracods, polychaete worms, small gastropods, and fish eggs in the wild.
Primary Diet: Live copepods (e.g., Tisbe biminiensis) and amphipods from live rock/sand. A mature tank supports natural grazing; supplement with cultured pods (e.g., AlgaGen Tisbe) if needed.
Supplements: Captive-bred fish may accept frozen mysis, brine shrimp, black worms, pellets (e.g., New Life Spectrum Small Fish Formula), or Cyclopeeze. Wild-caught fish rarely take prepared foods. Use a turkey baster for target feeding.
Feeding Schedule: Constant grazing; supplement 2–3 times daily with small amounts to avoid water fouling. Ensure a steady pod supply for long-term health.
Behavior and Compatibility
The Spotted Mandarin is peaceful and shy, spending its time “hopping” along the substrate, perching on fins, and foraging in crevices. It is crepuscular (active at dawn/dusk) and rests in sand at night, covered in protective mucus. Males display elongated fins during courtship.
Temperament: Non-aggressive and reef-safe with corals and invertebrates (except pods it consumes).
Territorial with conspecifics; keep singly or as a male-female pair (males fight aggressively; females may harass smaller males). Avoid other dragonets (e.g., S. splendidus) to prevent competition.
Compatible Tank Mates: Clownfish, gobies, cardinalfish, firefish, small wrasses, angelfish, and tangs (if not aggressive). Avoid fast feeders (e.g., anthias, dottybacks) that compete for pods or predators like lionfish. Anemones may sting the fish.
Incompatibility: Multiple males, aggressive species, or pod competitors. Small tanks increase bullying risk.
Reproduction
Breeding is possible but difficult due to complex larval rearing. Monogamous pairs spawn in captivity if well-fed and stress-free.
Courtship and Spawning: Occurs at dusk with males displaying extended fins and circling. Pairs rise to the surface, releasing 50–300 eggs and sperm externally. Eggs hatch in 12–24 hours; larvae are pelagic for 12–14 days before settling.
Breeding Tips: Condition pairs with high-lipid foods (e.g., live mysids). Collect eggs post-spawn (turn off pumps) and rear in a 10–20 gallon tank with rotifers (days 1–10), then enriched copepods (e.g., Parvocalanus nauplii) at 10/ml. Use 24-hour lighting initially and 20–50% daily water changes. Settlement occurs around day 14; feed Tisbe copepods post-settlement. Juveniles develop in 3–7 weeks. Captive-bred adults improve success; fry are independent but predation-prone.
Summary
This guide emphasizes the Spotted Mandarin’s need for a mature tank, specialized diet, and careful tank mate selection to thrive in captivity.
Picture for illustrative purposes only. Either come in store to view available stock or request pictures to be sent to you.
Please Note: Due to variations within species resulting from age, region, sex, etc., the actual livestock may not look identical to the image. Approximate size range may also vary between individual specimens.
