Mandarinfish may be small, but they are just about the most colorful fish in the ocean. My latest painting features two of these amazing creatures on an abstract, poured acrylic background on a 12×12 stretched canvas. Synchiropus splendidus, the mandarinfish or mandarin dragonet, is only about 2-3 inches long and is found in the Pacific from Japan to Australia. Besides its wild coloration, it also has other methods of defense. Instead of scales, it is coated with toxic mucus. Tiny spines inject this into would-be predators. The mucus is also reported to be very stinky!
