The Mandarin fish

The mandarin fish or mandarin dragonet (Synchiropus splendidus), is a small, brightly colored member of the dragonet family, which is popular in the saltwater aquarium trade. The mandarin fish is native to the Pacific, ranging approximately from the Ryukyu Islands south to Australia. These Pictures has been taken in the Philippines on Malapascua island during a sunset dive, when the mandarin fish is mating.

(Malapascua - Philippines - June 2017)

The common name of the mandarin fish comes from its extremely vivid colouration, evoking the robes of an Imperial Chinese mandarin. Other common names include mandarin goby, green mandarin, striped mandarin fish, striped dragonet, green dragonet and sometimes psychedelic mandarin fish.

(Malapascua - Philippines - June 2017)

Mandarin fish are reef dwellers, preferring sheltered lagoons and inshore reefs. While they are slow-moving and fairly common within their range, they are not easily seen due to their bottom-feeding habit and their small size (reaching only about 6 cm). They feed primarily on small crustaceans and other invertebrates.