|
(synchiropus splendidus)
Saltwater
This very cool looking fish is native to the Indo-Pacific Ocean region. It has very bright green, blue and red stripes, outlined in black, with a little bright yellow on the top of the head. The eyes are encircled in bright red. Males have longer dorsal fins. Having this fish in the aquarium will help prevent brown flatworm infestations. It is a very popular fish that is especially difficult to keep. Without the proper environment it will not survive in an aquarium. Also know by the names Mandarin Goby, Blue Mandarin Goby and Psychedelic Mandarin Goby.
Size: sm. 1" to 1 1/2"; med. 1 1/2" to 2 1/2"; can get as long as 3"
No. in Tank: one, due to difficulty level
Tank: min. 30 gallons
Temperament: Peaceful
Food: (Carnivore) Feeds almost exclusively on the tiny invertebrates on/in live rock and live sand. Try offering aquarium food that dissolves, being careful not to over feed. Supplement with arctic pods and live copepods. Will also benefit from a refugium (an isolated area of the aquarium, not effected by the changes outside itself). Improper nutrition contributes to the mortality of these fish in captivity.
Light: Medium
Adaptation: This fish MUST have an established reef system with large amounts of copepods to ensure proper nutrition. There needs to be plenty of live rock where the fish can find a natural supply of algae , which cultures tiny copepods it needs to survive. Needs plenty of hiding places and live sand on the bottom of the tank.
Compatibility: An established reef system with plenty of live rock. It will hover and scoot around the reef aquarium, not bothering the corals, clams or invertebrates. No fish only aquariums. Best with peaceful tank-mates.
**FOR EXPERT AQUARISTS
|
