Captive-Bred Blue Mandarin

[markyc123]

Hey guys i’ve read some mixed reviews online about the Captive-Bred Blue Mandarin. Some sites say it’s challenging to keep some say it’s not and mixed opinions on foods. Any thoughts and/or tips? Would love to add him into my tank but want to know exactly what i’m getting into so i can best care for this gorgeous fish!! THANK YOU

 

[nereefpat]

It will come in really tiny, like an inch. Like a wild-caught one, it will still be challenging. I would plan on having a mature tank with lots of pods to keep one.

 

[moulton1853]

I actually just got 1 about 3 weeks ago from Biota. They come super tiny. 3/4 of an inch from mouth to tip of tail. Its mouth is not big enough for most prepared foods yet so make sure you have lots of pods and hatch some brine shrimp for it. I thought he got lost several times in my tank and it’s only a 55 g. Any type of aggressive fish may be a issue. He went over by my ywg and the gobi opened its mouth and the little guy was almost was inside it. Dottyback tried to bully him for a few days too. No sign of any interest of mysis shrimp or any other prepared foods yet, but they just might be to big for his mouth still. As far as Health goes, very healthy and active, hunting constantly. I think he’s grown a little now. Maybe up to an inch

 

[aurora.k]

I got a captive bred pair over a year ago (added to a mature tank) and they I didn’t have any issues and found them easy - but easy is subjective and I considered it easy to add pods and feed Reef Nutrition regularly, at least at first (also an excuse to go to the LFS every week). Mine eat frozen and love oyster feast, R.O.E. and Trigger Pods (all Reef Nutrition) . It is true - they were so tiny when they came in I was terrified. I didn’t have a refugium (I do now) so I added pods every week just to be sure. They snack on pods throughout the day but eat right up at meal time.

 

[markyc123]

Thank you guys so helpful. One last thing, how mature should the tank be? 6 months? 1 year?

 

[moulton1853]

The more mature the better but I guess that depends on what you have put in there so far, if you have a refugium, have you stocked pods before this, ect. You could probably be ok at 6 months if you are going to make sure you stock with food constantly. My current tank is about 5 years but just added the refugium 6 months ago.

 

[Bpfor3]

i got a pair from Biota December 6. they are super tiny as described above. Biota feeds them TDO Pellets B2 size. They eat the pellets, which i always squirt in the same spot with a turkey baster. They grow very, very fast. Mine are pushing 2" and hefty. Unfortunately, i ended up with 2 males and they don't like each other very much. If you are willing to use the baster and feed the pellets, you should have no problem. Pic of of of them on 1/31/21.

 

[markyc123]

i got a pair from Biota December 6. they are super tiny as described above. Biota feeds them TDO Pellets B2 size. They eat the pellets, which i always squirt in the same spot with a turkey baster. They grow very, very fast. Mine are pushing 2" and hefty. Unfortunately, i ended up with 2 males and they don't like each other very much. If you are willing to use the baster and feed the pellets, you should have no problem. Pic of of of them on 1/31/21.

awesome pic!!

 

[markyc123]

The more mature the better but I guess that depends on what you have put in there so far, if you have a refugium, have you stocked pods before this, ect. You could probably be ok at 6 months if you are going to make sure you stock with food constantly. My current tank is about 5 years but just added the refugium 6 months ago.

THANK YOU!!

 

[Tchung23]

i got a pair from Biota December 6. they are super tiny as described above. Biota feeds them TDO Pellets B2 size. They eat the pellets, which i always squirt in the same spot with a turkey baster. They grow very, very fast. Mine are pushing 2" and hefty. Unfortunately, i ended up with 2 males and they don't like each other very much. If you are willing to use the baster and feed the pellets, you should have no problem. Pic of of of them on 1/31/21.

How quick do you mean by the grow fast? Just curious as I have a pair and have had them for a couple of weeks now

 

[Tchung23]

Here’s a pic of the male. Female is super tiny.

 

[Bpfor3]

How quick do you mean by the grow fast? Just curious as I have a pair and have had them for a couple of weeks nowi have had them almost 4 months. If your talking about length, it has easily doubled, probably a little more. If your talking about mass, i would say its easily 4 times as big as when i got it.

I got them almost 4 months ago. I ordered a pair and ended up with 2 males. Didn't end well for one of them. The one i do have has doubled in length, probably a bit more, and is probably 4 times as big. Its easily as big as a medium sized six-line if that helps.