If you follow our blogs, you know we've extolled the remarkable beauty of the mandarinfish (Synchiropus splendidus) before. Their scale-less skin swirls with patterns in blue, green, yellow and orange, and they never fail to draw exclamations of ooh! when visitors spot one in the Living Corals exhibit. Just look at this fish!

Some mandarinfish have darker hues, but all sport beautiful pattern of blues, oranges, greens and yellows.

Well, now this exhibit is twice as beautiful because there are currently two mandarinfish, or mandarin dragonet as they're sometimes called, in the exhibit now.

The red circles highlight the two fish.

Mandarinfish can be a territorial species, so it can be tricky trying to maintain more than one at a time. In fact, we have tried to maintain two individuals in the tank before without much success. But these two seemed to have realized their differences and are ok with one another. Note how they are keeping their distance.

Can you spot the mandarinfish? Small fish with some powerful pretty

Besides territoriality, mandarinfish are also very finicky eaters. They slowly and methodically pick over the reef and gravel looking for small live foods such as copopods and amphipods. Look for the fish hovering using their front fins while looking for food. Fortunately, our aquarists are skilled at providing these fish the food and care they need.

A singular beauty: The mandarinfish cannot be confused with any other fish

So on your next visit to the Aquarium, indulge in a good, long look at the Living Corals exhibit if you can. See if you can spot both of the mandarinfish amid the bobbing Banggai cardinalfish, dashing clownfish, corals and anemones.

The mandarinfish is also a regular on our social media outlets. Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Google + and Instagram for your daily dose of awesome ocean animals!

The cuttlefish exhibit is squirming with some new tentacles these days. There are currently two species hovering about this exhibit in the tropical gallery right now. Let's get to know these cunning cephalopods!

Find the cuttlefish exhibit on Level One in the Tropical Gallery, right across from the little blue penguins

First up, the pharaoh cuttlefish (Sepia pharaonis). These cuttlefish are juveniles, only around 3 to 4 months old. They will get considerably larger than their neighbors, the dwarf cuttles. Pharaoh cuttlefish differ from the common cuttlefish in that around their mantle, they have a blue iridescent ring of color.

This pharaoh cuttle's blue/purple ring of color around its mantle is easy to spot in this picture

Look for the pharaoh cuttlefish near the bottom of the exhibit, blending into the sandy substrate.

Dwarf cuttlefish (Sepia bandensis)

Cuttlefish are masters at camouflage and can change the color of their skin to blend in to its surroundings or to communicate with fellow cuttlefish.

• Stop what you're doing and watch this video right now
• Now that you'v watched the video, learn a bit about the common cuttlefish
• Did you know cuttlefish lay eggs?

A male twig catfish protects its eggs

Some of the fish have paired off and are treating visitors to a very special sight: eggs! Twig catfish usually lay eggs on open vertical surfaces such as submerged vegetation or rocks—or in this case, the window. The eggs lie in a single layer and are guarded by the male.

You'll find this highlight in the anaconda exhibit. Which is more exciting—giant snakes or tiny fish eggs?!

The males have their work cut out for them. Large discus in the exhibit are eyeing the tasty clutch of eggs, so the farlowella are having to stay on guard. In this video you'll see how the catfish have to swat at the ever-present discus.



If the farlowella manage to protect their eggs from predators, the larva will hatch into the exhibit. Though, just like in the wild, most do not survive. Either way the eggs can only be seen on exhibit for a couple days.

Eggs, twig catfish and a hungry, hungry discus

A discus: Mmmm, fish eggs

The next time you visit the Aquarium, head up to the Amazon Rainforest exhibits. You might just see a very cool fish behavior right before your eyes! Plus, a glimpse of a steamy tropical rainforest is a great way to escape the snow. Just sayin'.