Red Mandarin Goby

Red Mandarin Goby - A Rare and Spectacular Dragonet

The Red Mandarin Goby (Synchiropus cf. splendidus) is an exceptionally rare and breathtaking color variant of the beloved Mandarin Dragonet. With its stunning red and orange base coloration adorned with intricate blue, green, and orange patterns, this is one of the most visually spectacular fish available to reef keepers. Each fish displays unique, psychedelic patterns that seem hand-painted by nature, making this a true living work of art for your aquarium.

Key Features:

• Rare Color Variant: Exceptionally uncommon red morph of the classic Mandarin Dragonet
• Breathtaking Coloration: Vibrant red to orange body with intricate blue, green, and orange patterns
• Unique Patterns: No two fish are identical—each displays one-of-a-kind markings
• Graceful Movement: Deliberate, elegant swimming as it hunts for copepods across rockwork
• Reef Safe: Completely safe with all corals and invertebrates; peaceful temperament
• Captive-Bred Advantage: Our specimens are trained to accept prepared foods, greatly improving long-term success

Important Care Requirements:

Tank Size: Minimum 30 gallons; 50+ gallons recommended for established copepod population
Experience Level: Intermediate to Advanced - requires special feeding considerations
Diet: Primarily copepods and amphipods; captive-bred specimens accept frozen cyclops, baby brine shrimp, and enriched mysis
Temperament: Peaceful; may be territorial with other dragonets
Reef Compatibility: Excellent - will not harm corals or invertebrates
Adult Size: Reaches 3-4 inches in length

Critical Success Factors:

Established Tank Required: Your aquarium should be mature (6+ months old) with a thriving population of copepods and amphipods. A refugium with macroalgae helps maintain a sustainable food source for long-term success.

Feeding Strategy: While wild-caught mandarins can be challenging to feed, our captive-bred Red Mandarin Gobies have been trained to accept frozen foods, significantly improving their chances of long-term success. Offer frozen cyclops, baby brine shrimp, and enriched mysis shrimp multiple times daily. Supplement with live copepod cultures to ensure optimal nutrition.

Tank Mates: Avoid housing with aggressive feeders that may outcompete the mandarin for food. Only one dragonet per tank unless you have a very large, well-established system with abundant microfauna.

What Makes the Red Mandarin Special:

The Red Mandarin is an extremely rare natural color variant of the classic Green Mandarin Dragonet. While the standard green variant is already considered one of the most beautiful fish in the hobby, the red morph takes this beauty to an entirely new level with its warm red and orange tones combined with the signature psychedelic blue and green patterns. This rarity makes the Red Mandarin one of the most sought-after fish among serious collectors.

Coloration & Appearance:

The Red Mandarin displays an extraordinary palette of colors:

• Base color ranges from deep red to bright orange
• Intricate blue, green, and orange wavy patterns cover the entire body
• Iridescent blue spots and lines create a psychedelic effect
• Large, sail-like dorsal and pelvic fins with matching patterns
• Colors appear even more vibrant under actinic lighting
• Males typically display more intense coloration and larger fins

Behavior & Personality:

Red Mandarin Gobies are mesmerizing to watch as they gracefully glide across rockwork and substrate, methodically hunting for copepods and amphipods. They move with deliberate, almost hovering movements, pausing frequently to pick at the rock surface. These fish are generally peaceful and shy, preferring to stay near the bottom and within rockwork. They're most active during the day and may retreat to hiding spots at night.

Sexual Dimorphism:

Males have a much larger, more elaborate first dorsal fin with an extended spine. Males also tend to be slightly larger overall and may display more intense coloration. During courtship, males will display their impressive dorsal fins and perform elaborate swimming displays to attract females.

Feeding Requirements:

Success with Red Mandarin Gobies depends heavily on providing adequate food sources:

• Live Copepods: Maintain a healthy population through refugiums or regular seeding with live cultures
• Frozen Foods: Our captive-bred specimens accept frozen cyclops, baby brine shrimp, and finely chopped mysis
• Multiple Feedings: Offer food 2-3 times daily to ensure adequate nutrition
• Target Feeding: Use a turkey baster or feeding tube to deliver food directly near the fish
• Refugium: A refugium with macroalgae and live rock rubble provides a continuous supply of copepods

Tank Setup:

Provide plenty of live rock with established copepod populations, along with caves and overhangs where the mandarin can retreat. A refugium is highly recommended to maintain sustainable copepod populations. Gentle to moderate flow is preferred, as strong currents can stress these delicate fish. Subdued lighting or shaded areas are appreciated, though mandarins will adapt to various lighting conditions.

Why Choose Captive-Bred?

Captive-bred Red Mandarin Gobies offer significant advantages over wild-caught specimens: they're already acclimated to aquarium life, trained to accept prepared foods, and don't impact wild reef populations. Given the rarity of the red color variant in nature, captive breeding also helps preserve wild populations of this spectacular morph while giving you the best chance of long-term success.

Important Note on Rarity:

The Red Mandarin is significantly rarer than the standard green variant, making availability limited. This is a special opportunity for collectors and enthusiasts who want one of the most spectacular and uncommon fish in the marine aquarium hobby.

Our Red Mandarin Gobies are carefully selected, quarantined, and eating a variety of foods before shipment. Each fish is backed by our live arrival guarantee, ensuring your rare and spectacular dragonet arrives healthy and ready to thrive in your established reef system.