The huge fins of the mandarinfish each have as much or more area as the cross-section of its body. Its normal habit of movement seems to be skipping from one perch to another on a coral head or in coral rubble, with the ventral fins just above, or touching the bottom, often in an almost hovering motion. Unlike many of the gobies and blennies, these fish never inhabit solitary holes in the reef, but may cluster within branched coral structures, or hide under coral heads.

Identification: Synchiropus splendidus

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