{"product_id":"mandarin-dragonets","title":"Mandarin Dragonets","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMandarin Dragonet\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, commonly called the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMandarin Goby\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, is one of the most spectacularly coloured fish in the marine aquarium hobby. Its psychedelic combination of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eelectric blue, turquoise, orange and green\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e creates intricate patterns unlike almost any other reef fish.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDespite the common name, the Mandarin Goby is \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003enot actually a true goby\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. It belongs to the dragonet family and spends most of its day slowly exploring live rock and the substrate in search of tiny crustaceans.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMandarins are exceptionally \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003epeaceful and reef safe\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, making them excellent inhabitants for established reef aquariums. However, their specialized feeding requirements are extremely important. In nature, they continuously hunt \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003ecopepods and other tiny microfauna throughout the day\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, so a mature aquarium with a healthy, sustainable pod population is highly recommended.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSome individuals can be conditioned to accept \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003efrozen mysis, enriched brine shrimp and other prepared foods\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, but prepared food should not automatically be assumed to replace a healthy supply of natural prey unless the individual fish is reliably eating and maintaining good body condition.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMandarins are slow, deliberate feeders and should not be housed where aggressive or extremely competitive tankmates prevent them from getting enough food.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eScientific Name:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSynchiropus splendidus\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCommon Name:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Mandarin Dragonet \/ Mandarin Goby\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaximum Size:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Approximately 3–4”\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Peaceful\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReef Safe:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Yes\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDiet:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Carnivore \/ Microfauna Feeder\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCare Level:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Moderate to Advanced\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eRecommended Tank Size:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 30+ gallons with an established pod population\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Western Pacific\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e✨ \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eInteresting Fact:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Mandarin Dragonets produce a protective \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eslime coating rather than relying on typical fish scales\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. This mucus helps protect their skin and is one reason mandarins have such a unique texture and appearance.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e⚠️ \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeeding Note:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e A Mandarin should never be purchased simply as a decorative fish for a new aquarium. Long-term success depends heavily on providing enough food, whether through a thriving copepod population, reliable prepared-food feeding, or a combination of both.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Albertan Reef Fish and Supplies","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47336332034102,"sku":null,"price":65.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0732\/1475\/4870\/files\/IMG-3279.webp?v=1787418674","url":"https:\/\/albertanreef.ca\/products\/mandarin-dragonets","provider":"Albertan Reef Fish and Supplies","version":"1.0","type":"link"}