Callionimids are marine fish originating for the most part in the archipelago of the Philippine Islands.
They are very curious for their appearance and coloration, often bright, with very garish colors.
Of the two most representative species of this genus, the Psychedelic Fish and the Mandarin Fish , it is the second most popular in aquariums and relatively easier to find for sale.
Their size is relatively small and they tend to live very close to the seabed, where they find their favorite foods , mussels, tubifex, brine shrimp and filamentous green algae.
Although it is not easy to distinguish between male and female Callionimids,in males the first dorsal fin is higher than in females.
They have a protractile upper jaw.
Psychedelic Fish
Synchiporus pictaratus
It is native to the Philippine Islands , where we can find it in freedom living near the seabed.
They have a characteristic brownish-green coloration , with wide black ocelli (spots that simulate eyes).
They are very territorial fish, it is impossible to place two male specimens in the same aquarium, since the fights are to the death.
In the aquarium they can be fed tubifex and fresh or lyophilized brine shrimp.
Mandarin Fish
Callionymus splendidus
Likewise, this variety of Callionimids comes from the Philippine Islands, where it lives on coastal reefs . They are very elusive and difficult to catch.
They are distinguished by having a cylindrical body, covered by a skin devoid of scales. Its mouth is clearly protractile, provided with several rows of very fine teeth.
The sexual dimorphism between males and females is quite evident. The males are much brighter than the females, they also have a more elongated dorsal fin and are larger than the females.
They are very calm fish, in the aquarium we will always see them swimming near the substrate, where they find the food they need.
They have very aggressive relationships with each other, they are quite territorial , however they have no problem living with other species, since they tend to ignore them.
Learn more: Mandarin Fish
