Description
A Living Jewel for Your Reef Aquarium
Introduce a dazzling display of color and personality to your saltwater aquarium with the ORA Captive-Bred Blue Mandarin. Renowned for its intricate, psychedelic patterns and peaceful demeanor, the Blue Mandarin (also known as the Mandarin Goby or Mandarin Dragonet) is one of the most beautiful and sought-after fish in the marine hobby. These ORA-bred mandarins offer a significant advantage over their wild-caught counterparts, being hardier, more accustomed to aquarium life, and readily accepting prepared foods.
IMPORTANT: Juvenile Size
Please Note: You will receive a very small, juvenile mandarin. These are young fish with an expected size of approximately 0.5" to 0.75". This small size allows them to adapt well to a new aquarium environment and grow into healthy, vibrant adults. They are not fully grown adults.
Unmatched Beauty
The Blue Mandarin boasts an electrifying color palette that is truly breathtaking. Its body is a canvas of wavy, ribbon-like lines of brilliant blue, vibrant green, and fiery orange-red, all set against a rich, deep background. This intricate pattern, resembling psychedelic art, makes the Mandarin a true centerpiece, gracefully gliding through the rockwork of a well-established reef.
Care & Habitat
To thrive, a Blue Mandarin requires a mature, stable aquarium of at least 30 gallons with plenty of live rock and a sandy substrate. The rockwork is crucial, as it creates a complex environment for the fish to hide, hunt, and feel secure. A healthy, established population of copepods is highly recommended, as this is their natural food source.
These fish are peaceful and should be kept with other non-aggressive tank mates that will not outcompete them for food. They can be kept singly or in mated pairs.
A Breakthrough in Feeding
Historically, mandarins have been challenging to keep due to their specific dietary needs. However, ORA's captive-breeding program has produced a fish that is accustomed to a varied diet. In addition to a thriving copepod population, your Blue Mandarin will readily accept a variety of high-quality frozen and dry foods, including:
- Nutramar Ova
- Finely chopped Hikari Frozen Blood Worms
- Fish Roe
- Frozen or Live Baby Brine Shrimp
- Frozen Daphnia
- New Life SPECTRUM Small Fish Formula pellets
Why Choose an ORA Captive-Bred Mandarin?
- Sustainability: Reduces the impact on wild reef populations.
- Hardiness: More resilient and better adapted to aquarium conditions than wild-caught specimens.
- Easier to Feed: Readily accepts a variety of prepared foods, increasing their survival rate significantly.
- Disease-Resistant: Raised in a controlled environment, reducing the risk of introducing pests and diseases to your tank.
Add this stunning, hardy, and responsibly-bred gem to your collection today and enjoy one of the most captivating sights in the marine aquarium hobby!
Approximate Purchase Size: 0.5" - 0.75"
Photos are a representation only. Actual fish and corals may vary.
