why are mandarins invisible

Discussion in 'Tropical Fish' started by Swisswiss, Sep 12, 2015.

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  1. Swisswiss

    Swisswiss Caribbean Reef Squid

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    any one done some reading on to why Synchiropus splendidus are ignored my many fish? there seems to be no data on specific predators either.
     
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  3. Vinnyboombatz

    Vinnyboombatz Giant Squid

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    Scaleless fish are slimey and probably don't taste very good.I would bet coloration of this splendid nature is used as a remember me? deterrent.
     
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  4. Va Reef

    Va Reef Giant Squid

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    In nature, bright colors usually mean poisonous, however on a reef, everything is colorful so I'm not sure.

    I'm sure something big enough like a lionfish or grouper wouldn't mind slurping one up on occasion.

    My marine betta sure doesn't like my mandarin near his cave though.
     
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  5. SAY

    SAY Ocellaris Clown

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    the other fish in your aquarium might ignore them just because they look so different and don't see them as a threat. I have wondered the same thing about my matted file fish. The other fish in my aquarium pretty much ignore them as well. I have two tangs that normally harass any fish that I introduce but completely ignored the file fish.
     
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  6. Servillius

    Servillius Montipora Digitata

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    Has anyone ever noticed how ridiculously well mandarins actually blend in against the environment? That dramatic coloration is weirdly concealing.
     
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  7. Swisswiss

    Swisswiss Caribbean Reef Squid

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    they are really trippy little critters, i find the way they swim hypnotizing
     
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  9. Vinnyboombatz

    Vinnyboombatz Giant Squid

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    You might also consider that we tend to throw fish together from different regions that have never seen one another before and therefore don't know what to think.lol☺