Let's see those Mandarin

[SMB]

His and Hers. Philippines.

 

[Sorcha2]

My little fellow. He's a bit over two inches long and very very shy.

 

[Wh00pS32]

Had him for 3 years until he got into a territory dispute with my clowns, they killed him and i was gutted.

 

[Lesley]

 

[OrionN]

More pictures.

 

[OrionN]

 

[Scurvy]

Thats a handsome fella!

 

[Randy the reef guy]

Nice pics!!! I want one so bad. I will eventually be ready, cant wait.

 

[OrionN]

Up for another round of picture.

 

[code4]

Up for another round of picture.

He is beautiful Orion!

 

[Peach02]

 

[DSC reef]

 

[homer1475]

if mine wasn't so camera shy I could get a pic! Seriously, he's always around the front glass until Iget the camera out. Going on 4 years with this male. I've added several females, but alas they never seem to do well and waste away. I have since given up on another female.

One of these days I'll be able to grab a pic!

 

[homer1475]

I actually just noticed mine was sleeping out in the front of the tank on the sandbed. Not a great pic, but it is one.

Of course as anyone who owns one knows, they look very odd when sleeping and often times loose some of their vibrant coloring. Soon as they wake and start hunting, they color up again.

I think the loss of color might be because their slime coat is heavier normal when sleeping?

 

[DSC reef]

Correct, they do loose color from a type of slime coat at night.

 

[OrionN]

Taking pictures of shy fishes requires a short range telephoto lenses. This way we don’t have to be right next to the fish to snap a picture. Usually 2-3 feet away is adequate for the fish to act normal. Lots of fish just turn pale and ugly at night when they sleep. Mandarin secreted mucus at night but the clear mucus does not block the light. They just have pale and faded color, like that or a dead fish at night.

 

[William Mumford]

On the hunt.

 

[William Mumford]

Correct, they do loose color from a type of slime coat at night.

Second that. The color is for camouflage and at night becomes useless and would use unneeded energy.

 

[Crabby48]

My little guy

 

[Fishurama]

My two. A spotted and a scooter. They are "bonded" but not paired if that makes sense. They love to be around each other but no mating signs. Didn't know two different kinds could do this, ill see if it turns out to be true love LOL.