Mandarinfish

Superpower

One of only two animals known to make blue pigment instead of merely reflecting blue.

At a glance

Size

typically 6 cm, up to 8 cm

Lifespan

4–6 years

Depth

1–18 m

Habitat

Sheltered lagoons and inshore reefs, hiding in coral rubble.

Diet

Tiny crustaceans and worms picked from the rubble.

Can I eat it?

No — this one is not eaten.

Safety

• Poisonous2/10

  Its skin oozes a bitter, foul-tasting slime instead of having scales.

Fun facts

• •It is one of very few animals with true blue colour pigment in its skin.
• •Instead of scales it has toxic, smelly slime that deters predators.
• •At dusk, pairs rise together in a brief courtship dance to spawn.