Green Mandarin Dragonet (Synchiropus splendidus) - Male

This mature male Mandarin carries the extended first dorsal spine males use to flare and spar over territory — a small sailfin flourish the females don't get. Like the rest of the species, its jaw-dropping color pattern is made with actual cellular pigment rather than reflective structural color, and that eye-catching skin doubles as a chemical warning to anything thinking about eating it. It needs a mature tank with an established copepod population to graze on constantly, or it will slowly starve regardless of how good it looks.

Care level: Difficult · Temperament: Peaceful · Max size: ~3" · Min tank: 30 gal, mature with established pod population · Diet: Carnivore, live copepods/amphipods