Blue Mandarin
A dragonet patterned in swirling blue, orange and green, hopping slowly across the rockwork. One of the most beautiful fish in the hobby, and entirely dependent on a live copepod population.
Feeding
Feeds almost exclusively on live copepods and amphipods picked from live rock. Most specimens refuse prepared food. A mature tank with an established pod population, ideally with a refugium, is essential.
Compatibility
Reef safe and entirely peaceful. One male per tank. Cannot compete with fast feeders for food.
Behaviour and personality
Hops slowly across rock and sand, picking constantly at surfaces all day. Males display an enlarged dorsal fin.
Before you buy
The most common cause of death is starvation in a tank too young to support it. If the tank lacks a mature copepod population, the fish will not survive.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Species | Blue Mandarin |
| Brand | Real Aquatics |
| Gender | Male |
| Compatibility | Reef safe, peaceful |
| Feeding Requirement | Live copepods and amphipods |
FAQ
What type of food does the Blue Mandarin require?
The Blue Mandarin feeds almost exclusively on live copepods and amphipods found in live rock. It will not accept prepared foods.
Can the Blue Mandarin live in a reef tank?
Yes, the Blue Mandarin is reef safe and entirely peaceful, making it suitable for reef tanks.
How many Blue Mandarins should I keep in a tank?
Only one male per tank. It is not recommended to keep multiple individuals due to competition for food.
Charles Cameron –
The Blue Mandarin is stunning with its vibrant blue, orange, and green patterns. It hops gracefully across the rock and sand, adding a beautiful touch to the tank. I had to set up a refugium to support the copepod population, but it’s worth the effort. The fish is peaceful and doesn’t stress other inhabitants.
Felicity Greene –
Beautiful fish that brings a lot of visual appeal. I noticed it spends most of the day hopping and picking at surfaces. It’s important to have a mature tank with live copepods, or it won’t survive. Once the population is stable, it becomes a joy to watch.
Andrew Metcalfe –
It looks great in the tank, but it’s not easy to care for. I had to invest time in establishing a copepod population. The fish refuses prepared food, so feeding requires patience and a well-established tank setup.