Photo Image Mandarin fish Synchiropus splendidus

MANDARIN FISH

Synchiropus splendidus

This species usually hides among rubble and within branching coral colonies during the day when it feeds on copepods and other small crustaceans. Mandarins come out at dusk to indulge in a mating ritual, which give you great photographic opportunities. They are easily distinguished from other fish species by having a short chubby body, large rounded fins and beautiful colour pattern reminding the traditional Mandarin dress.
Frequency of sightings:
Common at dusk
Best time of year:
YEAR-ROUND
Remarks:
Shallow depth; length up to 6 cm
Divesites seen at:
Batu Angus, Lembeh Resort House Reef, Pintu Kota Besar (Seagrass), Serena West, Tanjung kusu-kusu

Taxonomical order of this critter:
Veterbrate
Sand Dweller
Buttom dweller
Dragonet
-	Fingered dragonet
-	Mandarin fish
-	Orange & black dragonet
-	Picturesque dragonet
-	Picturesque dragonet