are mandarins dragonetts hard to keep

[ericbost23]

How hard is it to keep mandarins feed

 

[Humblefish]

If you have a large enough tank with plenty of rock for grazing, and an ample copepod population - they're not difficult at all. The challenge with these fish is they need a ridiculous amount of live food (pods) to survive long-term. So, it's also a good idea to setup a refugium to utilize as a pod breeding ground.

 

[steve&mari]

Totally agree with above problem is most people underestimate how many pods they'll devour in a short time. They're non-stop hunters searching for pods non-stop. Super fast n short digestion system so the need to pick constantly.

 

[Blue Lip]

Its the only fish that doesnt eat when i feed. Had him for years & he is fat. They are not good in small tanks.

 

[ericbost23]

I have a 75gl with a sump

 

[ericbost23]

Totally agree with above problem is most people underestimate how many pods they'll devour in a short time. They're non-stop hunters searching for pods non-stop. Super fast n short digestion system so the need to pick constantly.

I do plan on breeding pods . do the pods reproduce fast enough or will i need to add them

 

[Salty1962]

As mentioned, pods, pods, pods. You need a mature tank that can replenish the pods quickly. They also don't do well with aggressive and fast feeding fish. You may be fortunate as I was a couple of years ago, I had one that would eat frozen foods, mysis and cyclops. Beautiful fish if you have the right setup.

 

[ericbost23]

I may give it a try.....maybe

 

[Salty1962]

I do plan on breeding pods . do the pods reproduce fast enough or will i need to add them

Put some rock rubble in an area where you can protect if from fish, I covered my with a clear container, and they'll grow. Put some phytoplankton or nori sheets in the rocks for food and they should reproduce quickly.

 

[ericbost23]

Put some rock rubble in an area where you can protect if from fish, I covered my with a clear container, and they'll grow. Put some phytoplankton or nori sheets in the rocks for food and they should reproduce quickly.

So not in the refug

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

imo. pretty shy mellow fish so tank mates should be a big consideration.

 

[ericbost23]

imo. pretty shy mellow fish so tank mates should be a big consideration.

All i have is 2 clowns and two pj cardinal

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

nice.

 

[DanConnor]

The best plan is to assume your tank can not support one (which it most likely can't) and be prepared to utilize something like Paul B's baby brine feeder

 

[Salty1962]

So not in the refug

I did both at the time because I also had 2 pipefish. It won't hurt if you have the real-estate for it.

 

[Humblefish]

I do plan on breeding pods . do the pods reproduce fast enough or will i need to add them

In just a 75 you will need a fuge or something going down in the sump for pods to reproduce. Away from all your fish, so the pods can breed without being eaten prematurely. Your return pump will transport them into the DT. Chaeto in a fuge works well, but just having some LR down in the sump will help as well.

 

[Paul B]

Mine spawned again yesterday. They are one of the easiest fish "as long as you feed them" and I don't mean to train them to eat pellets.
Read this.
http://www.saltwatersmarts.com/keeping-difficult-marine-fish-3898/

And this
http://www.saltwatersmarts.com/diy-target-feeder-mandarinfish-pipefish-2804/

 

[ericbost23]

I think I'm goimg to add pods to my tank and sump give them a month to populate and give it a try

 

[Bryce Peterson]

I have a 90 with 120# of live rock. I had planned on one mandarine, but I ended up rescuing an emaciated one from Petco. Both are fat and happy now. I have a rediculous ammount of mysis breeding in my tank and refugium. I have also supplemented copepod populations, but they don't seem to maintain. I'm pretty sure the mandarines are mainly eating the mysis.

 

[Blitzie]

I have had one for about 2 years now, Here is the catch I run a Zeo system so there is no Fuge and I have not added any pods for over a year.
I do have lots of live rock and my tank size if 150 gallon.
He does eat frozen food very well though and does eat right out of turkey baster. The trick was getting him to initially, and after trying several items he ate Bloodworms. Now he eats anything and positions himself in quite corner of tank when the pumps go off for feeding.