Mating rituals in the marine world are always intriguing and can be elusive to catch on camera especially when it comes to the reef denizens. This great video chronicles the Striped Mandarinfish (Synchiropus splendidus) spawning on a reef in a mangrove lagoon in Guam. Brought to you by the team at Aquaqest Video Productions (who have to have some of the coolest jobs, BTW), Pete and the team not only bring you the “action” but do an excellent job in documenting just how hard it is to catch these tiny, colorful creatures on film.

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Post from: Reef Builders

OMG! Fish voyeur heaven: Mandarinfish caught in the act

OMG! Fish voyeur heaven: Mandarinfish caught in the act

Red Scooter Blenny
(Synchiropus stellatus)
QUICK STATS
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Care Level: Difficult
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.020-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size: 3″
Color Form: Red
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Maldives, Sri Lanka
Family: Callionymidae

The Scooter Red Blenny is also referred to as the Starry Dragonet or Stellate Dragonet. Its body is a mottling of red and white with large dark spots. The male usually has brighter colors and a larger dorsal fin.

It prefers a reef aquarium of 30 gallons or larger with lots of live rock to hide in and graze from. The substrate should be live sand and the aquarium should have docile inhabitants. More than one of its species may be kept, and it is best to introduce them all to the tank at the same time. The ratio should be 2 or 3 females per male. A 55 gallon or larger aquarium is required if more than one male is to be kept.

The Scooter Red Blenny diet should consist of brine shrimp, bloodworms and glassworms, and small invertebrates. They are slow-moving, deliberate feeders and should not have to compete for their food.

Shop for Red Scooter Blenny at LiveAquaria.com

Scooter Blenny
(Synchiropus ocellatus)
QUICK STATS
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Care Level: Difficult
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.020-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size: 5″
Color Form: Red, Tan, White
Diet: Carnivore
Origin: Australia, Indo-Pacific, Solomon Islands
Family: Callionymidae

The Scooter Blenny is also known as Scooter Dragonet or Ocellated Dragonet. It has a mottled brown and white body with red highlights. The male usually has brighter colors and a larger first dorsal fin.

A 30 gallon or larger reef aquarium that has live sand substrate, docile inhabitants, and lots of live rock makes the ideal aquarium for the Scooter Blenny. More than one of its species may be kept; if so, it is best to introduce them all to the tank at the same time. The ratio should be 2 or 3 females per male. A 55 gallon or larger aquarium is required if more than one male is to be kept.

The Scooter Blenny may be a difficult fish to keep due to its feeding habits. The Scooter Blenny will sift through the sand for food. Finely cut meaty foods and vitamin-enriched brine shrimp may be acceptable substitutes.

Shop for Scooter Blenny at LiveAquaria.com

Spotted Mandarin
(Synchiropus picturatus)
QUICK STATS
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Care Level: Difficult
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.020-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size: 4″
Color Form: Black, Blue, Green, Orange
Diet: Carnivore
Origin: Indo-Pacific
Family: Callionymidae

The Spotted Mandarin, also referred to as the Spotted Mandarinfish, Psychedelic Mandarinfish, Psychedelic Fish, or Picture Dragonet, was first found in the Western Pacific Ocean in 1976 by Peters. The head, fins, and body are a psychedelic combination of blue, orange, and black spots on a green base. Males may be distinguished from females by their more-elongated first dorsal spine.

It requires a 30 gallon or larger aquarium with live substrate and plenty of hiding places. It is moderately hardy in reef aquariums if given special care. It is not overly aggressive towards other fish, except for conspecifics.

The Spotted Mandarin has been known to spawn successfully in an aquarium.

The diet should consist of a variety of live vitamin-enriched brine shrimp and live black worms. It will eat natural prey off live rock and live sand.

Shop for Spotted Mandarin Dragonet at LiveAquaria.com

Green Mandarin
(Synchiropus splendidus)
QUICK STATS
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Care Level: Difficult
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, sg 1.020-1.025, pH 8.1-8.4
Max. Size: 4″
Color Form: Blue, Green, Orange
Diet: Carnivore
Origin: Indo-Pacific
Family: Callionymidae

The head and body of the Green Mandarin, also known as the Striped Mandarinfish or Green Mandarinfish, are a mazelike combination of blue, orange, and green. Males may be distinguished from females by their more-elongated first dorsal spine. It is extremely popular with aquarists because of its unusual beauty.

It should be kept in a well-established 30 gallon or larger aquarium with live rock, live sand, and plenty of hiding places. It is moderately hardy in reef aquariums if given special care. It is not overly aggressive towards other fish, except for conspecifics.

The Green Mandarin has been known to spawn successfully in an aquarium.

It feeds on a variety of vitamin-enriched live brine shrimp, live black worms, and natural prey on live rock and live sand.

Shop for Green Mandarin Dragonet at LiveAquaria.com