{"product_id":"red-mandarin-goby-synchiropus-splendidus-saltwater","title":"Red Mandarin Goby (Synchiropus splendidus)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E0F7FA;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Pick up at \u003cstrong\u003e1885 Braselton Hwy, Suite D, Lawrenceville, GA\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003cbr\u003e\nYour order is reserved — we hold off on bagging until you arrive, so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe Red Mandarin Goby (\u003cem\u003eSynchiropus splendidus\u003c\/em\u003e) is one of the most striking fish in the marine hobby — a small, slow-moving dragonet painted in deep red, orange, and electric-blue swirls. It is a \u003cstrong\u003epeaceful, reef-safe\u003c\/strong\u003e fish best suited to \u003cstrong\u003eadvanced\u003c\/strong\u003e keepers, because its health depends on a mature tank with a thriving population of live copepods to graze on throughout the day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePair it with the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/salt-water\"\u003esaltwater livestock \u0026amp; reef supplies\u003c\/a\u003e to build a healthy, balanced reef.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTank \u0026amp; environment:\u003c\/strong\u003e Provide at least a 30-gallon aquarium (50+ gallons is better) that has been established for 6–12 months, with plenty of live rock for copepods to breed in and graze on. A refugium or in-tank pod habitat dramatically improves long-term success.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mandarins are continuous micro-grazers, which is the main reason they are considered advanced — they pick copepods and amphipods off live rock all day long. Seed and replenish your tank with \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/bulldawg-copepod-mix-live-marine-pods\"\u003elive marine copepods\u003c\/a\u003e, and protect the colony with an \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/adaptive-reef-copepod-habitat-sump-refugium-shelter\"\u003ein-tank pod habitat\u003c\/a\u003e. Many specimens can also be weaned onto \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-freeze-dried-mysis-shrimp\"\u003efrozen\/freeze-dried mysis\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/bulldawg-artemia-brine-shrimp-live-nauplii\"\u003eenriched brine shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e, but a standing pod supply is essential.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e Peaceful and shy, and completely reef safe — it will not bother corals or invertebrates. Keep only one mandarin per tank unless you can confirm a true male\/female pair, as same-sex pairs (especially two males) will fight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:560px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;background:#E0F7FA;font-weight:600;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eRed Mandarin Goby (Red Mandarin Dragonet)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;background:#E0F7FA;font-weight:600;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eSynchiropus splendidus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;background:#E0F7FA;font-weight:600;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003eCare Level\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAdvanced\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;background:#E0F7FA;font-weight:600;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePeaceful\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;background:#E0F7FA;font-weight:600;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;background:#E0F7FA;font-weight:600;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003eMax Adult Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e~3 inches (7.5 cm)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;background:#E0F7FA;font-weight:600;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e30 gallons (50+ recommended)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;background:#E0F7FA;font-weight:600;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003eTemperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e72–78°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;background:#E0F7FA;font-weight:600;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003epH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e8.1–8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;background:#E0F7FA;font-weight:600;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e1.020–1.025\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;background:#E0F7FA;font-weight:600;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003eCarbonate Hardness\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e8–12 dKH\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;background:#E0F7FA;font-weight:600;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eCarnivore — copepods, amphipods, frozen mysis\/brine\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;background:#E0F7FA;font-weight:600;white-space:nowrap;\"\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eWestern Pacific reefs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBest kept in a calm reef community where it will not be out-competed for food. Good tank mates include peaceful, non-aggressive species such as the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/royal-gramma-gramma-loreto-saltwater\"\u003eRoyal Gramma\u003c\/a\u003e, a \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/tomini-tang-ctenochaetus-tominiensis-saltwater\"\u003eTomini Tang\u003c\/a\u003e (in larger tanks), and reef-safe cleanup crew like the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/scarlet-skunk-cleaner-shrimp-lysmata-amboinensis-saltwater\"\u003eScarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e. Avoid fast, aggressive feeders such as large wrasses, aggressive damsels, and hawkfish that will strip the pod population before the mandarin can eat. Prefer the green color form? See our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/green-mandarin-goby-synchiropus-splendidus-saltwater\"\u003eGreen Mandarin Goby\u003c\/a\u003e — but remember, only one mandarin per tank unless you are pairing a male and female.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/bulldawg-copepod-mix-live-marine-pods\"\u003eBulldawg Copepod Mix\u003c\/a\u003e — live marine pods, the staple food for mandarins\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/adaptive-reef-copepod-habitat-sump-refugium-shelter\"\u003eAdaptive Reef Copepod Habitat\u003c\/a\u003e — protects a breeding pod colony in your sump or display\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/bulldawg-reef-juice-rhodomonas-salina-live-red-phytoplankton\"\u003eLive phytoplankton\u003c\/a\u003e — feeds and sustains your copepod population\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-freeze-dried-mysis-shrimp\"\u003eFreeze-dried mysis shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e — supplemental food many mandarins will accept\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/bulldawg-artemia-brine-shrimp-live-nauplii\"\u003eLive gut-loaded brine shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e — high-value enrichment food\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBrowse all \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/nutrition\"\u003emarine fish foods\u003c\/a\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the Red Mandarin Goby reef safe?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes — it is completely reef safe and will not nip corals, clams, or invertebrates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDo I need a special tank to keep one?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYou need a mature, established tank (ideally 6+ months old) with live rock and a healthy copepod population. Adding a pod habitat or refugium makes a big difference.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it eat regular fish food?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSome adapt to frozen mysis or brine over time, but you should never rely on that alone — always maintain a live copepod supply.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I keep two together?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOnly as a confirmed male\/female pair. Two males will fight, often to the death.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48798886559963,"sku":"1186057","price":45.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/image_6ab03c70-8e2c-487f-99a7-b548d8c020f7.png?v=1779394215","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/red-mandarin-goby-synchiropus-splendidus-saltwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}