Scientific name : Synchiropus splendidus
Family : Callionymidae
Native to : Australia and Indo-Pacific Oceans
Interesting fact : In the evenings, the mandarinfish surfaces to perform the dancing ritual for mating.
Conservation status : Not Evaluated
Mandarinfish are beautifully coloured fish living in reefs nd lagoons. They grow only up to 6 cm long and can be blue to yellow, orange, purple and green with wavy orange lines. They are highly reclusive during the day when they are seen among coral branches. They feed on small crustaceans, eggs of fish and other invertebrates. Their lifespan is 10-15 years.
