Couple question about dragonettes

[Jonathan Troutt]

hey guys. So I came across a target spot dragonette today that one of my local guys were selling for 5 bucks. They have had it for 4 weeks and it was super skinny. They had not been feeding it. I felt really sorry for the little guy and he is bad. Super super skinny.

Anyway, my tank has a ridiculous amount of pods and their population has been stable for a couple months now. When I say ridiculous. I turn off the lights and it looks like my sand bed is moving not to mention the amount on my glass. So the thing has plenty of food in my tank.

I want to know if there is anyway to help it?

The other question is can I keep two. I’ve always wanted to keep one of the non target spotted ones. So would they coexist ok? I got a 40 breeder with a 29 gal sump. I have chaeto in my sump which is what I think is responsible for my pod population. I think I have a lot of pods in my main tank......its nuts in my fuge. Anyway what are thoughts? Thanks in advance!

 

[Sashaka]

Hi, Jonathan. I have mixed dragonettes species in several different tanks without issues before. Keep in mind that all fish are individuals and you can get a rogue one here and there who does not want to share the habitat, so have a back up plan ready in case they don't play nice together. Usually, my dragonettes just flare and then, do a mock chase, and then go their separate ways. The real issue will be is the tank big enough that two won't feel cornered and stressed together, and can the pod population feed two dragonettes? When I bought my psychedelic, I had pods that covered the walls of my tank all day and all night. Within a week, I rarely saw any pods. For little fish, dragonettes eat a lot, and they eat all day long! Luckily, I have worms and other live foods in my tank that my dragonettes also eat, so they're fat and healthy. My ruby red dragonettes have even learned to eat frozen foods. I have a 13 gal set up just for growing/breading pods, so I can replenish as needed. It seems to work out well.

As far as trying to help the fish by adopting it, that is a choice only you can make. If the fish is dying because of lack of food, your pod population can only help. If it has other issues... it will likely die in quarantine. If you're putting the fish directly into your MD without the usual quarantine, you run the risk of introducing diseases or pathogens. There are always pros and cons to weigh. Good luck if you decide to go for it.

 

[Jonathan Troutt]

Thanks for your reply. The fish came from a trusted friend. And I am comfortable with his water, if that makes sense. So it went right into my tank. I have seen it eat a couple pops here and there so I think it will survive. If I am right I would really like to keep two so I might have to look into growing pods myself, how did you get started in it? I am going to wait a while before I attempt another one. I want to make sure this guy is gonna be good and then see what he does to my pod population.

 

[Sashaka]

I love my dragonettes, so I love sharing my experience with them. In truth, I got tired of buying pods online every three months and then having to wait for the pods to grow out, so I purchased a 13.2 gal Evo all in one aquarium kit with the intention of quarantining corals, snails, or other inverts and creating a safe breeding ground for pods. I seeded the setup with a piece of rock from my MD and a sponge. I purchased some Chaeto that was loaded with pods at my LFS and then added about a quarter cup of AlgaGen tisbe pods. The pods started breeding right away. The tank has been up since last summer and is still breeding pods. I feed a few shrimp pellets or dry foods about twice a week, and I only do a 5 gal water change about once every 3 months. As a result, I grow algae for the pods and my tangs. It's not pretty, but it seems to work for me. I'll try to get you a picture tomorrow of the set up if you're interested.

BTW, I'm careful not to add any pods to the MD from this tank if I've added something new into the quarantine tank for at least two months. I introduced a pathogen from snails last year and the risk is just not worth it to me. Now even snails are quarantined for a few months in the little 13.2 gal before they go in the MD. This also give the pods time to repopulate.

 

[Sashaka]

So I came across a target spot dragonette today that one of my local guys were selling for 5 bucks. They have had it for 4 weeks and it was super skinny. They had not been feeding it. I felt really sorry for the little guy and he is bad. Super super skinny.

@Jonathan Troutt: Just wondering... Did the dragonette make it? If so, did you get it a buddy?

 

[Jonathan Troutt]

@Jonathan Troutt: Just wondering... Did the dragonette make it? If so, did you get it a buddy?

Yes it made it and is wonderfully fat and healthy now. I love this fish. I was honestly amazed he lived. It was really bad.

No wasn’t a buddy it was a shop that is ran by a guy here in town. Great guy and great shop

 

[Sashaka]

So glad to hear the little guy made it! Sorry...I was asking if you got a second dragonette when I asked if you got it a "buddy." You mentioned this possibility in your post.

 

[Jonathan Troutt]

So glad to hear the little guy made it! Sorry...I was asking if you got a second dragonette when I asked if you got it a "buddy." You mentioned this possibility in your post.

Oh! So sorry for my
Misunderstanding. To answer your question no I have not other than the other fish that were in the tank. I honestly think I would have to supplement pods if I had two. When I get a bigger tank I will be adding a second