via Elias Levy
Mandarinfish are a small, colorful species, popular among aquarium enthusiasts for their wonderful aesthetic value. They are native to the waters of the Pacific, with a long range of habitat from Japanese islands to Australia. Named for its resemblance to the brightly colored robes of the Imperial Chinese mandarin, the mandarinfish is one of only two known species to have blue coloring because of actual cell pigmentation, rather than being created by reflective crystals in the animal’s skin. Because of its bright coloring, you may think that it would be highly visible, but the mandarinfish compensates by being a bottom-feeder in sheltered lagoons and reefs, spending the majority of its time foraging for food. Although they are desirable to aquarists for their colors, they can be difficult to keep because of the specific diet they require, namely, what they would find in the wild. They do not adapt easily to aquarium food, preferring live creatures like amphipods, small crustaceans, and other invertebrates. It should be noted that the mandarinfish is a different species than the mandarin fish, a freshwater perch found in still waters of China. But you can’t possibly mistake a mandarinfish for anything else!
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via leafbug
via luc.viatour
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via leafbug
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via Stephen Childs
via Elias Levy
via prilfish
In the Philippines.
Nope. But wish I had. It’s beautiful.
Nope. But wish I had. It’s beautiful.
Yes. In Palau
no
no
No but that is my favorite fish in the whole world! I have pictures all over my room!!!
No but that is my favorite fish in the whole world! I have pictures all over my room!!!
Yes… so beautiful!!
Yes… so beautiful!!
Yes, in Malaysia – amazing small creatures
In Lembeh. Amazing.
Yes! In Yap and North Sulawesi. Awesome little critters.
not yet,next winter 30 days in the coral sea
That is one of my favorites!
in Yap, Palau and Philippines – just amazing ritual and so much color!
Every day in my fish tank!
i want to see this in the water
I had one of those once upon a time. Reef tank.
Saw one in Yap, they prefer to come out at twilight.
Yes in Palau!
Seen one in Hawaii
Very cool colorations
Last weekend! Koror, Palau….. Awesome!
Lembeh Straight. Mating!!
Philippines anilao
No– But I would love to!
Papua New Guinea and Borneo. They are stunning!
Pretty much guaranteed in Palau!
Pretty much guaranteed in Palau!
Saw them in Cebu, Philippines