Spotted Mandarin Dragonet

The Spotted Mandarin Dragonet is the equally mesmerizing cousin of the more commonly seen Green Mandarin, distinguished by its breathtaking pattern of vivid green, blue, and orange spots ringed with dark outlines on a blue-green base color. Rather than the swirling, psychedelic lines of the Green Mandarin, the Spotted Mandarin displays a series of discrete, eye-like spots and rosettes that give it an almost painted or tattooed appearance. This pattern has earned it the alternative name Picturesque Dragonet.

Like its close relative, the Spotted Mandarin Dragonet is a bottom-dwelling micro-predator that spends its days methodically picking tiny copepods, amphipods, and other microfauna from the surfaces of live rock and rubble. It shares the same challenging feeding requirements that make all mandarins difficult to maintain — a mature, well-established aquarium with a thriving population of live copepods and amphipods is absolutely essential. The Spotted Mandarin is generally considered slightly more delicate than the Green Mandarin, and ensuring an adequate food supply is even more critical for long-term success.

The Spotted Mandarin Dragonet secretes a bitter, toxic mucus coating that provides natural protection against parasites and diseases such as marine ich and velvet. This same coating makes it distasteful to most predators. Despite this natural armor, the fish is slow-moving and docile, making it vulnerable to aggressive tankmates that may outcompete it for food. A refugium connected to the display tank that continuously produces copepods is strongly recommended. Captive-bred specimens are occasionally available and are significantly easier to maintain, as they are more willing to accept prepared foods.