Tips for Photographing Mandarinfish 

Male and female Mandarinfish (Synchiropus splendidus) a member of the dragonet family
Male and female Mandarinfish (Synchiropus splendidus) a member of the dragonet family

Having the best of the best underwater camera setup money can buy is not the key to getting great mandarinfish (Synchiropus splendidus) shots. It’s about using what you have and knowing how to use it.

On a DSLR or Mirrorless (full frame or APSC), the preferred lens is a 50 to 60mm Macro. For a Four Thirds, a 30 to 45mm macro should be all that you need as you can get quite close. Marco lenses with a longer focal length will do the job, but you won’t have as much depth of field even at F/32.

In this scenario, my own camera settings are often set as follows:

Shutter Speed: 1/125 to 1/200 sec

Aperture: F/19 to F/22

ISO: Start at 200. If your strobes struggle a little to match the selected F-stop, bump the ISO to 400.

Strobe Power: ¾ power is a good target setting as you will need a quick recycle speed.

Back Focus: if your housing has a back focus button or lever, set your camera to use it. This way, as you are following the fish through the viewfinder, keep your forefinger on the shutter, with your thumb on the back focus button to independently follow the fish to keep them in focus.  

Two male mandarinfish (Synchiropus splendidus) squaring off for possible fight.
Two male mandarinfish (Synchiropus splendidus) squaring off for possible fight.

If the auto focus of your system does not have the greatest ability to quickly follow focus on even slow-moving subjects in low light, preset the focus on something the size of your small finger that comfortably fits within the frame. Doing so, you would only need to move slightly in or out to keep something like a mandarinfish in focus. Yes, this is old school, but this is how it was done even before autofocus.

Before the sun sets, you should scope out the best spot to settle down and minimalize your movements to eliminate stirring up the bottom and/or frightening the fish. Mandarinfish are typically shy.  

From there, keep a look out for the largest, fattest mandarinfish you can find and follow where it goes. 

Mandarinfish (Synchiropus splendidus)
Shot with a Nauticam housed Nikon D850 and 60mm Macro. Camera settings: 1/180 sec. at f/22, ISO 200. Light provided by a pair of Retra strobes set on manual with power level at 25.

At this point, lighting is key.  Like most small fish that are highly active in the dusk to dark hours of night Mandarinfish Do-Not-Like having a white light shined on them. Using modeling lights with only white light function will more than likely keep the little fish down in the coral dampening their natural behavior.

To be far less obtrusive, using a modeling light with a Red mode, or at the very least one that can be fitted with a red filter to the front, is most desirable as the mandarinfish will take far less notice of it allowing you to more effectively see and follow their movements. 

If you have succeeded in finding the right place to be before the drama starts to play out, you should not need to move from that spot as the mandarinfish courting behaviors will tend to work in a more vertical direction. Knowing that in advance helps you better track the fish through the viewer.  

Mandarinfish are broadcast spawners; both the eggs and sperm are released simultaneously into the water column to be carried away in the currents.
Mandarinfish are broadcast spawners; both the eggs and sperm are released simultaneously into the water column to be carried away in the currents

Keep in mind that when mandarinfish are about to mate they will rise upwards a foot or more above the coral. To catch the peak of action you need to be patient and wait for them to reach the zenith of their ascent. By this point they are often too connected to break apart before mating has actually occurred. That is the moment to start taking the shot, as the release of their eggs and sperm in unison will last no longer than 2 to 3 seconds. From there, the ending is marked by their sudden retreat back into the coral. 

Happy shooting.  

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YouTube Video UEw2X2VCMS1KYWdWbXFQSGV1YW84WVRHb2pFNkl3WlRSZS43RkJGOTAwRDhCOEQ1RjIy

Is This The Best Dive Center Ever? W\@wakatobidiveresort

@sennacher 
#askmark Hi there, regarding DSMBs. I’m no expert whatsoever and normally I deploy it correctly. This weekend we dove on very strong current and I almost lose my breath while deploying it (mouth inflate) as it tangled a bit on my reg. It scared the sh&t out of me so. Is there any “little cylinder” kind of thing in order to keep my reg in my mouth to deploy it safer?  I haven’t tried to do it with my LPI… but asume it would tangle also.
Thanks
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@sennacher
#askmark Hi there, regarding DSMBs. I’m no expert whatsoever and normally I deploy it correctly. This weekend we dove on very strong current and I almost lose my breath while deploying it (mouth inflate) as it tangled a bit on my reg. It scared the sh&t out of me so. Is there any “little cylinder” kind of thing in order to keep my reg in my mouth to deploy it safer? I haven’t tried to do it with my LPI… but asume it would tangle also.
Thanks
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=================================

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YouTube Video UEw2X2VCMS1KYWdWbXFQSGV1YW84WVRHb2pFNkl3WlRSZS43RDFFNUM4NkUwRDhEMjRD

Is There an Easier Way to Deploy a dSMB?

How Twinset Valves Work In Scuba Diving | Shutdown Drills And Isolator Tips Explained #scubadiving #askmark #twinset

Confused about how to use twinset valves or perform a proper valve shutdown drill? You’re not alone.

In this AskMark episode, Mark explains how valves work on twin cylinders, including how to safely open and close them, how isolator valves function, and why valve drills (also known as shutdown drills or V-Drills) are critical for diagnosing leaks during technical and recreational dives. Please visit our website for more Scuba news, underwater photography, hints & advice, and travel reports: https://divernet.com/ 

Mark also shares tips on muscle memory for reaching your left and right posts, isolator-first vs isolator-last logic, and how to prevent over-tightening or unsafe valve positioning. This guide is perfect for divers transitioning to twinsets, sidemount divers curious about manifold setups, or anyone wanting to improve their gas management skills. 

Let us know in the comments how your instructor taught valve drills and don’t forget to leave your questions using #AskMark to get featured in a future video. 

@mostafametwally1

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=================================

Disclaimer: The information in this video is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional SCUBA Training. This video's content, including text, graphics, images, and information, is for general information purposes only and does not replace training from a qualified Dive Instructor.

🔎 Related Phrases:

How Twinset Valves Work In Scuba Diving, Shutdown Drills And Isolator Tips Explained, How Twinset Valves Work In Diving, Scuba Valve Drill Tutorial, Shutdown Drill For Twin Cylinders, How To Use Twinset Isolator Valve, Twinset Manifold Explained, Best Way To Close Dive Valves, V-Drill For Scuba Divers, Twin Cylinder Gas Management Tips, Scuba Regulator Shutdown Steps, How To Practice Twinset Valve Drills, Muscle Memory For Valve Shutdowns

#scubadiving #askmark #twinset #scubavalves #shutdownskills #divingsafety #scubatraining #scubatech #divetips #manifoldvalve #valvedrill #scubagear #divingtechniques #scubacommunity #technicaldiving

How Do Valves Work on Twin Cylinders? #askmark
@mostafametwally1
#askmark hi Mark. Could you do a video on how to deal with the valves and manifold on twin cylinders. It’s confusing to remember which way to open the valves and it’s easy to get wrong particularly in emergencies. Thanks
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YouTube Video UEw2X2VCMS1KYWdWbXFQSGV1YW84WVRHb2pFNkl3WlRSZS5EQkEyODM0NTk2MUFEQkYz

How Twinset Valves Work In Scuba Diving | Shutdown Drills And Isolator Tips Explained

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