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ut of all this variety, two species are
regularly seen in the trade because
of their incredibly splendid coloration:
Synchiropuspicturatus
and
S.splendidus
.
TheMandarinfish
TheMandarinfish,
Synchiropussplendidus
,is
widely distributed in the Western Pacific,
where if is found from the Ryukyu Islands
toAustralia.Dependingon itsprovenance,
it varies somewhat in its base coloration,
but todate nothinghas beendone about
describingthesecolor formssystematically.
In thewild theMandarinfish lives onopen
bottoms close to coral reefs, but is not a
coral fish in the true sense. Like all
O
The Dragonets or Mandarinfishes (Callionymidae) are a family of
predominantlymarine,bottom-dwelling fisheswithanalmostworldwide
distribution.Todateonly two species are known from freshwater,while
a few find theirway intobrackishwater.Atpresent at total of 130 species
areknown,dividedamong18genera.
WonderfulDragonets
byMatthiasReising
Synchiropusmarmoratus
Synchiropus splendidus,
male
Becauseof its splendid coloration theMandarinfish,
Synchiropus splendidus
, isoneof themost popularmarine fishes.
All Photos:FrankSchäfer
dragonets, it feedson small organisms and
spends theentiredaysearching for food,its
large, expressive eyes simultaneously
watching its surroundingsall the time.
The maximum size of the Mandarinfish is
around8cm,but itusually remains smaller
and is sexuallymature at as little as 4 cm
long.
Sexualdimorphism
The sexes are relatively easy todistinguish
in
all
dragonets,
including
the
Mandarinfish, as in comparison to females
the males possess a much-enlarged first
dorsal fin,which theyuseduring courtship
display.
It isofconsiderablepractical importancethat
the sexes can be distinguished so easily, as
Meerwasser
