As daylight fades on the reef, a brief and extraordinary ritual begins. This photograph was taken during a dusk dive specifically planned to observe the mating behaviour of Mandarin Fish (Synchiropus splendidus)—a goal that had eluded me on several previous trips across different locations.  Just after sunset, the reef takes on a quieter mood. In this low-light window, female Mandarin fish gather near the coral to observe males as they perform an elaborate courtship display. The males flash their vivid colours and dart rhythmically above the reef in an effort to attract attention. From a photographer’s perspective, this is the moment where patience is critical. Movement must be minimal, buoyancy precise, and timing exact. When a female selects a male, the interaction changes instantly. She rests briefly on his pelvic fin, and together they rise slowly above the reef. At the peak of this ascent, the pair spawn, releasing a cloud of eggs and sperm before separating and drifting back down. The entire sequence lasts only seconds. Capturing this moment is particularly challenging. The light is fading rapidly, the subjects are small and constantly moving, and the exact instant of egg and sperm release is difficult to predict. This was the first time I had ever witnessed Mandarin fish mating, and the pressure to capture the behaviour added to the challenge. The photograph was taken largely on instinct—trusting experience to manage focus and exposure in near darkness. When reviewing the image later, it was clear the effort had paid off.