Mandarin fish are among the most stunning yet challenging subjects in underwater photography. These small, vividly colored fish engage in an enchanting but fleeting mating ritual that occurs at dusk, offering only a few precious seconds to capture the magic. Their behavior, the lighting conditions, and the environment they inhabit make photographing them a test of both patience and technique.
This tutorial provides a deep dive into the strategies required to successfully photograph mating mandarin fish. Based on years of experience and trial, the techniques shared here are designed to improve your chances of not only witnessing the mating ritual but also capturing it with clarity and artistic quality.
Understanding Mandarin Fish Behavior
Mandarin fish typically engage in mating behavior shortly after sunset. At specific reef locations, males and females perform an elaborate courtship dance before rising above the coral to mate. This ascent lasts for just one or two seconds, after which the eggs are released, and the fish vanish back into the reef. The brevity of this moment means the photographer must be fully prepared in advance.
Because of their shyness and sensitivity to light, mandarin fish require a stealthy and respectful approach. A successful shot demands prior research, familiarity with the location, appropriate gear, and understanding of fish behavior. It's common for early attempts to result in poorly composed or mistimed images—or some cases, no fish in the frame at all. Persistence and patience are essential.
Go Where the Mandarin Fish Are
Not all reefs are home to mandarin fish. Specific dive sites across Southeast Asia and the Pacific are known for their mandarin fish populations. Some of the most reliable places to find them include Anilao in the Philippines, Lembeh Strait in Indonesia, Dumaguete, Yap, Cebu, Sipadan, Wakatobi, and Palau.
Choosing a dive resort with experienced guides and a known mandarin fish dive site increases your chances of success. Many of these resorts plan evening dives that coincide with the fish’s mating rituals. Local knowledge is invaluable, but even then, the behavior of the fish can be unpredictable.
Choose the Right Camera and Lens
Due to the low-light environment and the small size of the fish, choosing the right camera system is crucial. A high-quality setup will allow for faster and more accurate focusing during critical moments.
Compact cameras, while convenient, often struggle to perform in this setting. However, models like the Sony RX100 or Canon G7X series are better equipped than most other compacts. For those using mirrorless systems, pairing an Olympus camera with a 60mm macro lens or a Sony body with a 90mm macro lens is a solid option. However, be aware that some lenses, like the Sony 90mm, are not known for rapid autofocus in underwater conditions.
For the highest image quality and best control, a DSLR is still the top choice. A full-frame Canon or Nikon DSLR with a 100mm or 105mm macro lens delivers outstanding detail and better tolerance for minor errors in composition due to the wider field of view. Full-frame sensors also perform better in low light, giving the photographer greater flexibility with ISO and aperture settings.
Use a Red Focus Light
Lighting is a sensitive issue with mandarin fish. These creatures dislike bright white light, and overexposure to it will scare them off, potentially ruining the entire shoot. A red focus light is essential because mandarin fish are less sensitive to red wavelengths. It enables you to focus without alarming the fish or disrupting their behavior.
A quality red light helps maintain visibility while minimizing disturbance. Some underwater lights have red filters that can be placed over their beams. Others, like advanced photo lights, include dedicated red settings. It's important to adjust the intensity and avoid shining even red light directly on the fish for extended periods. Subtlety and discretion are key.
Learn to Find Mandarin Fish Independently
While dive guides will assist you in locating mandarin fish, learning to identify their habitats gives you greater flexibility. Mandarin fish typically reside in shallow, rubble-filled areas of dead Acropora coral. They often remain motionless or move slowly within the coral until sunset, at which point activity begins to increase.
Your goal is to locate the largest, healthiest-looking fish. These are often males, and they tend to be the most active and successful at attracting mates. Position yourself near such individuals but maintain distance to avoid stress. With experience, you’ll begin to recognize subtle behavioral cues that signal upcoming mating behavior.
Take Practice Shots Without the Fish
Before the main event begins, it is important to fine-tune your camera settings and strobe placement. Set up your frame by practicing on coral positioned at the approximate distance where the fish will rise. This helps ensure correct exposure and focus when the moment arrives.
An effective starting point for DSLR users is shooting at f/9, ISO 400, and 1/250 shutter speed. The strobes should be angled slightly outward to reduce harsh shadows and prevent overexposure. Dial down the power to achieve a soft, natural lighting effect. Adjust as necessary depending on water clarity and ambient light levels.
These preparatory shots give you a reference for framing and help you react more instinctively when the fish appear. During the mating ritual, there’s no time to fumble with settings. Your camera must be ready to shoot instantly and accurately.
Observe the Pre-Mating Behavior
As sunset nears, the mandarin fish begin a courtship dance. They move between coral heads, sometimes interacting and circling one another. This phase is critical for the photographer. Observing their movements helps you predict where and when they will ascend to mate.
Fish may disappear only to reappear nearby. Stay alert but avoid chasing them. Maintain visual contact and be patient. You may need to hover motionlessly for several minutes, resisting the temptation to adjust position frequently.
The increase in activity is your signal that the moment is approaching. When the male and female begin aligning closely and rise together, keep your finger on the shutter and watch through the viewfinder. Timing is everything. If you shoot too early, the background may be cluttered with coral. If you wait too long, you may miss the critical instant when the fish release their eggs.
Summary of Challenges and Preparations
Photographing mandarin fish is not a casual undertaking. It requires dedication, research, and often several dives to even begin mastering the process. Understanding the fish’s behavior, selecting the proper gear, respecting their space, and using effective lighting strategies are all vital components of a successful shoot.
Part 1 lays the foundation for planning your dive, selecting the right tools, and preparing for the fleeting moment of action. In the following sections, we will explore more advanced techniques, composition tips, troubleshooting common issues, and post-processing strategies to enhance your images.
Preparing for the Dive
Before you even get in the water, a successful mandarin fish shoot begins with meticulous preparation. Know the dive site in advance, understand sunset timings, and ensure your equipment is configured correctly. Preparation reduces the risk of fumbling when the action happens.
Start by ensuring your strobes are fully charged and set to the appropriate power level. Your camera batteries should be fresh, and your memory card should have ample space. Use a lens port that suits your macro lens and check for any smudges or watermarks. Clean optics are crucial for clarity in low-light conditions.
Plan to arrive at the dive site well before sunset. This buffer time allows for locating subjects, running final equipment checks, and adapting to the surroundings. The more relaxed and prepared you are, the sharper your focus on the actual moment.
Dive Briefing and Strategy
A quality dive briefing is essential. Work closely with your guide and fellow divers to coordinate a respectful and efficient plan. Mandarin fish are easily scared, and a chaotic group of divers hovering overhead can cause them to retreat deeper into the coral.
Establish a communication plan with your buddy or the group to reduce unnecessary movement or flashing lights. If multiple photographers are on the same subject, take turns rather than competing for shots. This reduces stress on the fish and increases the likelihood that they will mate.
Position yourself at a comfortable distance from the coral colony where the fish are active. You don’t need to be directly over them. Instead, stay low, steady, and just outside their immediate area. Allow them to become accustomed to your presence.
Timing the Light and Approaching Sunset
Timing is everything when shooting mandarin fish. As daylight fades, visibility and focus capabilities decrease, making it even more important to dial in your lighting early. Use ambient light as long as possible while adjusting your red focus light for low-impact visibility.
The mating ritual typically begins 10 to 20 minutes after sunset. During this time, male fish become more aggressive, and pairs begin their synchronized movement. This window of activity is narrow and can end abruptly. Be patient and alert.
Avoid shining any light directly on the fish during these critical minutes. If your red focus light has adjustable intensity, keep it on the lowest setting necessary to maintain visibility. The less disturbance you create, the more natural the behavior of the fish will be.
Watching Body Language and Behavioral Cues
To predict when a mating rise will occur, closely observe the body language of the fish. The male will often trail a female, circling her repeatedly, and then position himself directly beside her. You’ll notice fluttering fins, synchronized swimming, and sudden pauses.
These subtle indicators help you prepare for the rapid rise. The more time you spend observing, the more accurately you'll predict when to shoot. Stay behind your camera, monitoring through the viewfinder. This lets you capture the precise moment without shifting position.
As soon as you see both fish ascend in unison, begin capturing images rapidly. This movement happens fast, often concluding in less than two seconds. Use burst mode or high-speed continuous shooting to increase your chances of getting the best frame.
Composition and Depth of Field
One of the biggest challenges in photographing mandarin fish is achieving an aesthetically pleasing composition while working under difficult conditions. Since these fish often rise from coral rubble, backgrounds can be cluttered and distracting.
To minimize distractions, shoot at a low angle and aim slightly upward. This perspective isolates the fish against open water or distant coral, creating a more visually appealing background. The farther your background is from the subject, the more blurred it will appear.
Depth of field plays a crucial role here. While macro shooters often use high apertures for sharpness, going too high reduces light sensitivity and increases strobe demand. A balanced aperture like f/8 or f/9 can give you enough sharpness while still allowing a soft falloff in the background. Adjust based on strobe strength and ambient conditions.
Focus Accuracy
Focusing on a small, fast-moving subject in low light is a formidable task. Even with advanced autofocus systems, many cameras struggle under these conditions. Using back-button focus helps separate focus from the shutter button, giving you more control.
If your camera supports it, switch to single-point autofocus and lock focus on the fish’s eyes as they begin their ascent. Be prepared to refocus manually or slightly adjust framing if the fish move laterally during the rise.
Sometimes, pre-focusing on a fixed point just above the coral can be an effective technique. If you know where the fish are likely to rise, pre-focus there and wait. This works well when paired with a narrower aperture to compensate for minor shifts in subject distance.
Managing Buoyancy and Positioning
Staying perfectly still is more difficult than it seems. The ability to hover motionlessly just inches above the reef without touching anything is critical. Even a slight movement or fin kick can disrupt sediment or scare the fish.
Before positioning yourself, take a few minutes to achieve perfect buoyancy. Use your breath to make minor vertical adjustments and avoid sudden body movements. Rest your elbows against your torso to stabilize your camera without using the reef for support.
Avoid lying flat or resting on your knees or hands. Not only is this damaging to the environment, but it also places you in a poor position to pivot quickly when the fish move. Instead, find a neutral hover with gentle sculling if necessary.
Respecting the Environment and Marine Life
Mandarin fish are sensitive creatures. Too much intrusion will cause them to retreat or delay mating, possibly for the entire evening. Be respectful of their space and avoid aggressive behavior like chasing, crowding, or flashing excessive light.
Photographers often get fixated on the shot and forget they are dealing with live animals engaged in a delicate reproductive process. By remaining calm and distant, you allow the fish to behave naturally.
If you’ve captured a mating sequence, consider backing away to let others have a chance. Overstaying at the same coral patch can exhaust the fish and reduce their willingness to continue.
Shooting the Mating Sequence
The climax of the mandarin fish courtship is the moment of the rise, when the male and female ascend into the water column. This is your split second to act. Begin capturing images as soon as they start rising, and continue until they separate.
Ideally, your shutter speed should be fast enough to freeze their motion—1/250 or faster is recommended. Use burst mode to capture as many frames as possible in a short time. Review your images after the dive to identify which frame captured the peak moment with the best clarity and composition.
The best shots show both fish in sharp focus, eyes visible, with the background minimally distracting. Sometimes, the eggs may even be visible in the water, adding another layer of interest to the photo.
Reviewing and Reflecting After the Dive
Once the dive is over, resist the urge to immediately share images. Instead, take time to review them critically. Examine focus, exposure, background, and timing. Note any recurring issues such as backscatter, motion blur, or overexposure.
Write down observations while the experience is fresh. What worked well? What could be improved? These notes will be invaluable when preparing for your next dive. The goal is continuous improvement and greater efficiency each time you attempt a mandarin fish shoot.
Advanced Lighting Techniques
Once you have mastered the basics of shooting mandarin fish, you can begin to explore more advanced lighting methods to create compelling, artistic images. Proper lighting can separate a technically good photo from a truly stunning one. With limited ambient light at dusk, strobes play a critical role in illumination, mood, and color fidelity.
Use a twin strobe setup for balanced lighting. Position the strobes slightly outward and above your camera port, pointing them slightly outward and downward at an angle. This reduces the risk of harsh shadows, uneven illumination, and backscatter. Avoid direct, flat-on lighting, which can create a lifeless look and wash out the delicate patterns on the fish.
Reduce your strobe power to avoid blowing out the fish’s bright colors, especially the blues and oranges. In low-light situations, a lower power setting combined with high ISO and wide aperture can deliver a pleasing exposure while retaining the scene’s mood.
Diffusers help soften the light, creating smoother highlights and shadows. When using diffusers, remember that your strobe power may need a slight adjustment to maintain exposure levels.
Creative Use of Color and Contrast
Mandarin fish possess some of the most vibrant coloration in the marine world. The vivid contrast of orange, blue, and green makes them ideal subjects for exploring the relationship between color, light, and composition.
Color separation is critical. Avoid backgrounds with competing bright hues or similar tones to the fish. Instead, seek out compositions where the background is darker or more muted. A dark, blurred background enhances the fish’s colors and brings attention to the primary subject.
Contrast can also be achieved through lighting. Side lighting or slightly backlighting your subject can introduce depth and highlight the contours of the fish’s bodies. These lighting angles emphasize the curve of the fins, the detail of the eyes, and the elegance of their movement.
Avoid over-editing the color during post-processing. While it’s tempting to increase saturation, excessive adjustments can lead to unnatural results. The fish are already brilliantly colored. Subtle contrast tweaks are often more effective.
Mastering Composition in a Tight Frame
Photographing a mating mandarin fish pair requires tight framing, but composition remains critical. With limited space, the goal is to include both fish clearly and harmoniously without crowding the frame.
Framing diagonally helps suggest movement and adds energy to the composition. Rather than placing both fish horizontally across the frame, consider aligning them diagonally from the lower left to the upper right, or vice versa. This leads the viewer’s eye naturally through the image.
Maintain some negative space around the fish if possible. This creates breathing room and helps emphasize the subject. Use this space to isolate the fish from the background, creating a stronger silhouette and more impactful image.
Pay attention to the direction the fish are facing. Ideally, they should be facing into the frame, not out of it. Subjects facing inward create a feeling of balance and containment, while subjects exiting the frame can feel disconnected.
Capturing Emotion and Movement
A truly memorable image conveys more than just appearance—it tells a story or evokes a feeling. The courtship and mating of mandarin fish are full of emotion: anticipation, connection, climax, and retreat. Your goal is to capture this brief drama in a single image.
Images taken just before or during the ascent often hold the most emotion. The synchronized movement, proximity of the fish, and tension in their fins create visual excitement. Try to capture their expressions, the arch of their bodies, and the moment they lift off the coral.
Movement can be implied through composition or subtle blur. While freezing motion is usually desirable, in some cases, a slight motion blur of the fins can add life and energy to the photo. Use slower shutter speeds with caution, ensuring that at least one part of the image—ideally the eyes—is still in sharp focus.
Avoiding Common Technical Mistakes
Even experienced photographers make errors during the intensity of a mandarin fish shoot. Here are some of the most common mistakes and how to avoid them:
Incorrect Focus: Make sure your focus point is set correctly. Avoid auto-area modes that may lock onto the background coral instead of the fish. Use single-point autofocus and place it on the fish’s head or eyes.
Overexposed Highlights: The bright colors of mandarin fish are easy to blow out, especially under direct strobe light. Reduce strobe power and check histograms after test shots.
Backscatter and Particulates: Low light increases the risk of backscatter. Keep your strobes wide and angled away from the center. Avoid touching the reef or stirring up sediment.
Missed Timing: The mating moment is short. If you are not ready, you will miss it. Anticipate the rise and shoot early in the ascent—not too early, but just before the fish reach the peak of their climb.
Unbalanced Lighting: Ensure both sides of the fish are evenly lit unless you are going for a dramatic shadowed effect. Adjust strobe positions slightly between shots as needed.
Optimizing Settings for Your Camera Type
Your exact camera settings will vary based on your setup, but here are some general guidelines for each camera type.
Compact Cameras: Use the highest burst mode available. Set aperture as wide as possible to let in more light (f/2.8 to f/4.0). Keep ISO moderate to reduce noise, around ISO 400–800. Use manual white balance or shoot RAW for flexibility in editing.
Mirrorless Cameras: Use f/8 to f/11 depending on available light and lens. ISO 400–640 is usually a good balance for noise and sensitivity. Continuous autofocus with single point is often best.
DSLRs: Set shutter speed to 1/250 or the highest sync speed. Aperture between f/8 and f/11 works well. ISO can be adjusted based on strobe power and ambient light. Use back-button focus for better tracking.
Always shoot in RAW to preserve details and maximize editing flexibility later.
Shooting Through Distractions
Even with perfect positioning, you will often be shooting through coral branches, rocks, or water movement. This adds complexity to the image. Rather than avoiding these entirely, learn to work with them.
Use the coral branches to create natural framing. Soft blur from the foreground coral can add depth and context to the image. Be careful that these elements don’t obscure the subjects’ faces or disrupt focus.
If other divers are nearby, manage your angles to avoid lights and bubbles. Use them to create silhouettes or reflections if timed creatively, but avoid allowing these elements to overpower the main subject.
In some cases, fish may rise in unpredictable directions. Keep shooting, even if the background isn’t perfect. Post-processing can sometimes minimize distractions, but a natural moment captured clearly will always carry more power than a technically perfect but emotionally flat image.
Developing Patience as a Skill
Patience is not just a virtue—it’s a skill that must be developed over time. Mandarin fish photography is often a waiting game. You may spend multiple dives observing, anticipating, and preparing with no successful shot.
This process is part of what makes the final image so rewarding. Resist frustration and embrace the rhythm of the dive. Even failed attempts are learning experiences that bring you closer to success.
Study your past images and consider what was missing. Was it timing? Lighting? Composition? Each dive is an opportunity to refine your technique and become a more intuitive photographer.
The Role of Luck
Despite careful preparation, there is always an element of chance in underwater wildlife photography. Conditions may change. The fish may not behave as expected. Equipment may misfire.
Do not allow these setbacks to discourage you. Luck often rewards those who are prepared. If you keep returning, keep improving, and stay ready, eventually all the elements will align for that perfect shot.
Celebrate the small victories. A well-exposed practice shot, a better focus on a solo fish, a properly timed strobe—all of these are milestones on the journey.
In the final section, we will explore post-processing techniques, storytelling through imagery, portfolio building, and ways to share your work while raising awareness about marine life and ethical underwater photography.
Post-Processing for Mandarin Fish Images
After capturing your mandarin fish shots, post-processing becomes an essential step in refining and enhancing your images. Even the best photos straight out of the camera can benefit from subtle adjustments. The goal is not to distort reality but to present the fish with clarity, color accuracy, and artistic intent.
Start with basic corrections in exposure, contrast, and white balance. Because of the challenging lighting conditions at dusk, your images may lean too warm or too cool. Adjust temperature sliders to reflect the natural appearance of the water and the vivid colors of the fish.
Use sharpening tools carefully, focusing on enhancing the details in the fish’s eyes, fins, and body patterns. Avoid oversharpening, which can introduce noise and reduce realism. Apply noise reduction selectively to shadow areas or soft backgrounds, especially if the shot was taken at a higher ISO.
Crop for composition when needed. If the action happened slightly off-center or you caught distracting elements at the edge of the frame, a crop can bring balance. Try to retain a natural aspect ratio unless a custom crop is necessary to isolate the action.
For more advanced users, dodging and burning can help subtly guide the viewer’s eye. Brightening the fish slightly while darkening surrounding coral or background distractions can increase subject focus.
Telling a Story Through a Series
While a single photo of a mating mandarin fish pair can be powerful, a series of images can tell a fuller story. Consider creating a sequence that includes:
-
A wide shot of the reef environment before sunset
-
A close-up of a lone mandarin fish within the coral
-
A series of images showing pre-mating behavior and synchronized swimming
-
The moment of the mating, rise, and egg release
This progression draws the viewer into the moment and provides context. It also showcases your understanding of the subject and your ability to anticipate and capture its behavior.
Organize your series with intentional flow. Start with calm and build toward the climax. Use image captions to describe what’s happening, share insights into the fish’s behavior, or explain your creative choices.
Building a Portfolio and Sharing Your Work
Once you’ve captured and processed your images, consider how you want to share them. A dedicated underwater photography portfolio can help establish your identity as a storyteller and naturalist.
Create collections based on species, locations, or behavior types. For example, your mandarin fish images might be part of a broader macro behavior series. High-quality storytelling images are in demand for magazines, conservation campaigns, and educational content.
When sharing on social platforms or submitting to publications, provide context in your captions. Explain how the image was taken, what challenges you faced, and why the moment matters. Authentic storytelling helps your work resonate with audiences beyond the photography world.
Always credit dive sites, guides, and local conservation efforts. Acknowledge the privilege of observing these rare moments and promote responsible diving and photography practices.
Practicing Ethical Underwater Photography
Every photographer has a responsibility to protect the marine environment and respect the creatures they photograph. Mandarin fish are especially vulnerable due to their shy nature and reproductive behavior.
Avoid using white lights or aggressive strobe bursts. Limit the number of divers and photographers around a mating site. Never touch the coral or rest on the reef for stability. Be prepared to abort a photo opportunity if the fish show signs of distress.
Ethical practices not only protect the reef but also improve your chances of a successful shoot. Fish that feel safe will behave more naturally and offer better photographic moments.
Use your images to advocate for the ocean. Include educational material when presenting your work. Highlight the importance of reef preservation, the fragility of mandarin fish habitats, and the impact of tourism.
Planning Your Next Dive
Once you’ve completed a successful mandarin fish shoot, consider planning another dive with refined goals. Return to the same site and try new techniques: wider angles, different lenses, or creative lighting effects. Try documenting different behavior, such as post-mating moments or competition among males.
Explore other locations known for mandarin fish, comparing conditions and behavior in each region. The habits of the fish can vary slightly depending on current, light, and population density.
With each dive, you’ll build a deeper understanding of the subject and a stronger connection to the underwater world.
Conclusion:
Photographing mating mandarin fish is one of the most rewarding challenges in underwater photography. It demands patience, technical skill, and a respectful mindset. The brief moment of ascent—a flash of motion and color against the fading light—is over in seconds but lives on in the image.
You may spend several dives waiting, adjusting, failing, and trying again. But eventually, when your timing is right and the fish cooperate, you'll capture a photo that combines beauty, behavior, and story in a single frame.
That photo will not just be a record of a successful dive. It will be a symbol of dedication, learning, and your connection to the ocean.
Through continued practice and ethical storytelling, your images can inspire others to appreciate and protect these delicate moments of marine life. The mandarin fish may be small, but the impression they leave—when captured well—is unforgettable.