Mandarinfish Mating Dance_02

A kaleidoscope of blues, greens and oranges, the beautiful, vibrant Mandarinfish, aka Mandarin Dragonets, are known for their distinctive mating ritual, but you'll need perfect timing to witness this fascinating, short-lived mating dance. During the sunset hours, females gather to watch males perform their courtship, and if the female likes a male she will join him by resting on his pelvic fin, then the pair will quickly rise above the reef to spawn.
 
Scientific Name:  Synchiropus splendidus