Description
Syö pakastetta – Saapunut 29.10.2025 Mandarin Dragonet — Synchiropus splendidus Specialist micro-predator. High risk of starvation if the tank lacks pods. Quick facts Size: 6–8 cm Temperament: Peaceful Reef-safe: Yes Minimum tank: 120+ l (with strong pod production) Lifespan: 5–10 years with proper feeding Aquarium requirements Mature system: 9–12 months old or older, heavy live rock. Refugium/pod farm: Strongly recommended. Chaeto refugium or pod hotel helps. Water: pH 8.1–8.4, salinity 1.025–1.026, temp 24–26 °C; NH3/NO2 0, NO3 <15 ppm. Flow: Low–moderate with many grazing surfaces. Cover: Recommended. Diet Primary: Live copepods and amphipods all day. Needs continuous availability. Supplement: Enriched baby brine, Calanus, fish roe, finely chopped mysis; many individuals refuse prepared foods. Captive-bred: Often accept frozen/pellets; strongly preferred. Feeding strategy: Seed pods regularly, run refugium, target-feed at rockwork, use feeding stations or turkey baster. Behavior and compatibility Keeping: One per tank unless true pair in a large, pod-rich system. Tankmates: Peaceful fish only. Avoid pod competitors (e.g., leopard and sixline wrasses) and boisterous species. Activity: Constant grazer; low bioload impact if fed. Acclimation and health Quarantine: Optional but tricky. Copper is risky; tank-transfer method or observational QT preferred. Disease: Thick slime coat lowers ich susceptibility, not immunity. Condition check: Sunken belly = malnutrition. Do not buy if pinched in. Breeding notes Dusk spawning ascent; pelagic eggs and larvae. Rearing requires dedicated setup. Buyer’s checklist Prefer captive-bred, eating frozen or small pellets. Verify it actively pecks at rock and has a rounded belly. Ensure your system produces pods before purchase.
