{"product_id":"spotted-mandarin-goby-synchiropus-picturatus-saltwater","title":"Spotted Mandarin Goby (Synchiropus picturatus)","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 \u003cstrong\u003eSpotted Mandarin Goby\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003eSynchiropus picturatus\u003c\/em\u003e) — also called the Picturesque Dragonet or Target Mandarin — is one of the most stunning small reef fish in the hobby. Its body is a constellation of white-rimmed green and black \"target\" spots over a velvety blue-green background, no two patterns alike. Despite the common name, this is actually a dragonet, not a true goby. Peaceful, slow-moving, and completely reef-safe, they spend their day picking copepods off live rock — making them the perfect jewel for a mature reef tank. Browse our other \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/salt-water\"\u003esaltwater reef supplies and livestock\u003c\/a\u003e.\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\u003eSpotted Mandarins are rated \u003cstrong\u003eintermediate\u003c\/strong\u003e for one reason only: \u003cstrong\u003efeeding\u003c\/strong\u003e. They are obligate micro-predators that hunt copepods and amphipods all day long. A mandarin in a brand-new tank will slowly starve no matter how much food you offer. The non-negotiables: \u003cstrong\u003ean established reef tank (6+ months old) with plenty of live rock\u003c\/strong\u003e, a healthy \u003cstrong\u003ecopepod population\u003c\/strong\u003e (refugium or copepod habitat strongly recommended), and patience as they learn the tank. Many specimens — including ours — will eventually accept frozen mysis, brine, and high-quality pellets, but a live pod base is what keeps them thriving long-term.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWater parameters are standard reef: stable temp, pH, and salinity matter more than chasing exact numbers. They're slow, peaceful, and unbothered by most tank mates. Keep one per tank unless you have a confirmed male\/female pair in a 75+ gallon system.\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%;margin:6px 0 12px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;width:40%;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eSpotted Mandarin Goby (Picturesque Dragonet, Target Mandarin)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eSynchiropus picturatus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eCallionymidae (Dragonets — not a true goby)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eWestern Pacific, Indo-Pacific reefs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare Level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIntermediate (due to feeding requirements)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eCarnivore — copepods, amphipods, sometimes trained to frozen mysis \u0026amp; brine\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLifespan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e5–8 years in a well-fed tank\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAdult Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e~3 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater Type\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eSaltwater \/ Reef\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eYes — completely; won't bother corals or inverts\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePeaceful, slow-moving\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e30 gallons; 50+ gallons with mature live rock strongly preferred\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTank Maturity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e6+ months established with thriving pod population\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e72–82°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecific Gravity\u003c\/strong\u003e\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;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH\u003c\/strong\u003e\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\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\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBest tank mates:\u003c\/strong\u003e peaceful reef fish that won't out-compete a slow eater — \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/maroon-goldstripe-clownfish-small\"\u003eclownfish\u003c\/a\u003e, small gobies, firefish, cardinalfish, anthias, dwarf angelfish, and reef-safe wrasses. Completely safe with corals, clams, shrimp, snails, and hermit crabs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAvoid:\u003c\/strong\u003e other Spotted Mandarins (unless a confirmed pair in a 75+ gallon tank with a huge pod population), aggressive feeders (large wrasses, hawkfish, dottybacks) that out-compete them for pods, and any predator fish big enough to eat them. Mandarins also have a mild skin toxin that deters most fish from biting them, but they're still vulnerable to bullying.\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\/adaptive-reef-copepod-habitat-sump-refugium-shelter\"\u003eAdaptive Reef Copepod Habitat\u003c\/a\u003e — essential pod-breeding shelter; sustains your mandarin's primary food source.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/bulldawg-artemia-brine-shrimp-live-nauplii\"\u003eBulldawg Live Brine Shrimp Nauplii\u003c\/a\u003e — live food many mandarins will pick at once settled.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/brightwell-angelixir-250ml-amino-acid-food-soak\"\u003eBrightwell AngeLixir\u003c\/a\u003e — amino acid soak to boost color and entice them onto prepared foods.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-fish-food-icebox-reusable-insulated-bag\"\u003eSFBB Fish Food Icebox\u003c\/a\u003e — keep frozen mysis cold on the trip home.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/nutrition\"\u003eBrowse all aquarium foods\u003c\/a\u003e — pellets, frozen, live, freeze-dried.\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;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs this really a goby?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nNo — despite the common name, it's a dragonet (family Callionymidae). True gobies belong to the family Gobiidae. Mandarins are slower, more deliberate hunters and have a much different body shape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it eat in my tank?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nOnly if you have a sustained copepod population. Our specimens have been fed in our system and many take frozen mysis and brine, but you should not bring one home to a tank under 6 months old or without visible pod activity. Add a refugium or copepod habitat well before purchase if your tank is borderline.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat's the difference between this and a regular Mandarin?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nThe Spotted (Picturesque) Mandarin (\u003cem\u003eS. picturatus\u003c\/em\u003e) has bold target-shaped spots; the Mandarin Dragonet \/ Green Mandarin (\u003cem\u003eS. splendidus\u003c\/em\u003e) has psychedelic squiggly stripes. Same care needs, slightly different look.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I keep two together?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nOnly as a confirmed male\/female pair in a 75+ gallon tank with abundant pods. Two males will fight, and two females will compete for limited food. Singles are far easier.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it reef safe?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nYes — completely. They won't pick at corals, clams, or any inverts. Their only \"diet conflict\" is competing for copepods with other pod-eaters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAre they jumpers?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nNot typically — they stay on the rocks and substrate. A lid is still wise, but mandarins are among the lowest jump-risk reef fish.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48798887706843,"sku":"1185317","price":39.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/image_f593f0e5-3f19-4469-99c4-7e8153a916d1.jpg?v=1779394300","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/spotted-mandarin-goby-synchiropus-picturatus-saltwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}