Synchiropus splendens. The head and body of the Green Mandarin, also known as the Striped Mandarinfish or Green Mandarinfish, are a mazelike combination of blue, orange, and green. Males may be distinguished from females by their more-elongated first dorsal spine. It is extremely popular with aquarists because of its unusual beauty. It should be kept in a well-established 30 gallon or larger aquarium with live rock, live sand, and plenty of hiding places. It is moderately hardy in reef aquariums if given special care. It is not overly aggressive towards other fish, except for conspecifics. The Green Mandarin has been known to spawn successfully in an aquarium. It feeds on a variety of vitamin-enriched live brine shrimp, live black worms, and natural prey on live rock and live sand such as copepods.
