Green Mandarin Dragonet - Philippines

Synchiropus splendidus


(18 Reviews)

Green Mandarin Dragonet - Philippines

Green Mandarin Dragonet - Philippines

Synchiropus splendidus


(18 Reviews)

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Care Facts

Care Level: Moderate
Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Carnivore
Reef Safe: Yes
Minimum Tank Size: 30 Gallons
Max Size: 3 inches
The Green Mandarin Dragonet, Synchiropus splendidus, features a vibrant green scaleless body with orange and blue wavy lines across the body and tail highlighted in blue edging. Male Green Mandarin Dragonets also have a large pointed dorsal fin. They are very peaceful and can be housed with other peaceful fish in a reef tank setting, but may become territorial towards other blennies, gobies or dartfish in smaller tanks. However, they are very sensitive and can be difficult to acclimate, requiring an established set up and steady copepod source.
Gobies tend to stay mainly towards the bottom of the tank, burrowing and sifting through the sand. Diet should include a steady supply of amphipods and copepods, and over time can be weaned to a varied diet of frozen or live mysis shrimp and vitamin enriched brine shrimp 1-2 times daily.

The Green Mandarin Dragonet (Synchiropus splendidus), Beauty in Saltwater Marine Aquariums

About the Green Mandarin Dragonet

The Green Mandarin Dragonet ( Synchiropus splendidus) is a captivating and mesmerizing addition to saltwater marine aquariums. With its vibrant colors and graceful movements, this species of dragonet can add a touch of beauty and charm to any reef environment. Let's explore various aspects of the Green Mandarin's captivating presence in marine aquariums.

Habitat and Range

Habitat: The Green Mandarin Dragonet is native to the Western Pacific Ocean, particularly around the coasts of Indonesia, the Philippines, and Australia. In the wild, they inhabit shallow reef flats and lagoons with plenty of live rock and coral rubble for shelter.

Reef-Safe Behavior and Water Quality

Reef Safe: The Green Mandarin is reef safe and considered peaceful. However, they can be sensitive to water quality, so maintaining pristine water conditions is essential.

Size, Lifespan, and Diet

Size: The Green Mandarin is relatively small, reaching about 2.5 to 3 inches (6.5 to 7.5 cm) in length.

Lifespan: They can have a lifespan of several years with proper care in a well-maintained aquarium.

Diet: The Green Mandarin is a carnivorous species that feeds on small invertebrates and copepods in the wild.

Aquaculture and Compatibility

Aquaculture: The Green Mandarin is commonly available in the aquarium trade. Some specimens are captive-bred, which helps reduce the demand for wild-caught individuals.

Compatibility: Green Mandarins are generally peaceful but can be territorial towards their own species or similar-looking fish.

Sexual Dimorphism and Suitable Tank Mates

Sexual Dimorphism: Male Green Mandarins typically have a more elongated and pointed first dorsal fin than females.

Suitable Tank Mates: A variety of tank mates can coexist harmoniously with Green Mandarins.

Examples of Suitable Tank Mates:

Tank Requirements and Other Common Names

Tank Requirements: The Green Mandarin requires a well-established aquarium with plenty of live rock, coral rubble, and crevices for hiding spots and foraging.

Other Common Names: In addition to the name "Green Mandarin" or "Synchiropus splendidus," this species is also known as the "Mandarin Dragonet" or "Green Mandarinfish."

In Conclusion: The Green Mandarin Dragonet ( Synchiropus splendidus) is a captivating and elegant addition to saltwater marine aquariums. Their stunning colors and graceful movements make them a highly sought-after species among marine enthusiasts. Aquarists can enjoy the allure and beauty of these enchanting dragonets in their underwater havens by providing them with a suitable environment, compatible tank mates, and a steady supply of copepods. With proper care and attention, the Green Mandarin can thrive and become a focal point of admiration in any saltwater marine aquarium.

I bought 2 no issues! Dip them like it says!


Reviewed by: Chris Colton on Feb. 10, 2023

The only fish you don't have to feed if you have a large tank with a lot of live rock and an established population of copepods. Make sure to get a male and female. I wish that Saltwater.com would let us choose male or female. They currently don't. I wish they'd also sell copepods. Seems like a lot of places don't anymore. I am only giving them a 3 star as we can't buy both male and female here. Otherwise they are a 5 star for ease and beauty.


Reviewed by: John Atella on June 7, 2022

Always fast response to all questions and concerns and their guarantee system is super fast!


Reviewed by: Linda Montgomery on Oct. 26, 2020

I am extremely happy with my purchase from Saltwaterfish.com. I purchased two of these guys and actually uploaded a really cool video of my mandarin eating pods off the rock on YouTube Just look up “Mandarin Goby from Saltwaterfish.com “ and my youtube channel is called “Bobby J’s Reef Tank”. Thank you Saltwaterfish.com for sending me two beautiful Mandarins.


Reviewed by: Bobby Eldredge on March 2, 2018

I received this beautiful fish last night. Acclimated him like we all are supposed to do and he was apparently fine, I watched him for about 3 hours before going to bed. In the morning, when I woke up to see if he was still alive, I saw two of my blotch brown snails on top of the mandarin eating him alive. Just as an advise, DO YOUR RESEARCH, I study about this fish for a whole week before getting him and I still didn't find any information about snails killing them prior to what happened to me. I was only able to find one source saying that they sleep on the sand bed and that you should NOT shut all lights off at night if you have snails in your tank, they can kill the fish. Be aware!


Reviewed by: Lucas Ladvocat on Feb. 8, 2018

MY FIRST DRAGONET ARRIVED DOA. CUSTOMER SERVICE IMMEDIATELY REPLACED IT...NO QUESTIONS ASKED.... NOW I HAVE A GORGEOUS HEALTHY DRAGONET. HE IS GREAT! I RECOMMEND.


Reviewed by: Crisan Anadio on July 24, 2017

My absolute favorite fish! It is eating well, and quickly learned to eat from a feeding station!


Reviewed by: Lori on Nov. 20, 2016

Nice freebie awesome colors just so tiny about a half inch in size . gets lost in tank hard to find as it's tiny , but healthy as can be


Reviewed by: John/Seaweed on Oct. 8, 2016

These are awesome and beautiful fish probably the most bang for you buck on color and appearance. But it is a EXPERT LEVEL CARE only fish, because if you are not dosing copepods in your tank 2 times or more a week or have a huge amount of live algae in your tank. The fish is going to eat them quickly and will slowly starve. Very Few people will get them to hand feed. So in consideration to this Copepods are not cheap and usually not readily available. Please read and consult experts in Forums before purchasing and learn truly how to care for these fish.


Reviewed by: Mike on July 24, 2016

Love this little guy! So friendly, so colorful. Wish I would have bought two! Named him Scooter. Loves to give me glass kisses!


Reviewed by: Gina Schempp on March 27, 2016

What an interesting and unusual addition to my tank! My mandarin dragonet immediately acclimated to my tank, spending most of his time "crawling" along the bottom and the rocks. The intensity of his coloring is more subdued than I expected, and feeding him his special diet is both expensive and a nuisance. As interesting as he is, I might not choose a dragonet if I had it to do all over again.


Reviewed by: Alan on May 16, 2015

I already had a female, I requested a male in the shipping notes. I received a gorgeous, healthy male. Saltwaterfish.com is top quality!


Reviewed by: Linda on May 15, 2015

This is a beautiful fish. A great addition to my tank. The fish is always eating off the rocks. I did have a pretty good copepod population in the tank before adding it.


Reviewed by: Kari Priborsky on April 13, 2015


Reviewed by: Becky Wyzykowski on Nov. 11, 2014


Reviewed by: Lisa on Nov. 1, 2014

He is doing great. Acclimated right away and this benthic predator is in heaven in my reef tank!


Reviewed by: Brandon Bragg on Aug. 22, 2014

I am new to saltwater. Received this little guy and he/she is beautiful and thriving. I wish now that I should have purchased two.


Reviewed by: Mary on Aug. 20, 2014

I received a healthy sized fish, the coloration is nice, and it is now hovering over the rocks looking or food.


Reviewed by: Tito Hinojosa on Feb. 4, 2014

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