Feeding mandarin while on vacation.

mmw64 · Feb 24, 2018

How do those who have mandarins keep them alive while on vacation? I have an auto feeder but it only takes flakes or dry foods. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

GoVols · Feb 24, 2018

mmw64 said:
How do those who have mandarins keep them alive while on vacation? I have an auto feeder but it only takes flakes or dry foods. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Would loading up the tank with live pods do the job?

EmdeReef · Feb 24, 2018

mmw64 said:
How do those who have mandarins keep them alive while on vacation? I have an auto feeder but it only takes flakes or dry foods. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

What do you feed it while home?

mmw64 · Feb 25, 2018

EmdeReef said:
What do you feed it while home?

Tigger pods and thawed cyclops.

Jr'sReef · Feb 25, 2018

A big fuge will do the trick.

EmdeReef · Feb 25, 2018

Guess as GoVols suggested you could try loading more. Do you have a refugium?

I’d assume if it’s a larger tank the population should be sufficient to support it. Another option is to look into TDO B1/B2 pellets, Biota captive mandarins apparently accept those - no guarantee yours will though.

K. Steven · Feb 25, 2018

Have someone come feed your fish.

pdisner · Feb 25, 2018

mmw64 said:
How do those who have mandarins keep them alive while on vacation? I have an auto feeder but it only takes flakes or dry foods. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I have an idea. I have a contraption that will slow feed copepods. It’s fairly simple. If you’re interested let me know.

GoVols · Feb 25, 2018

pdisner said:
I have an idea. I have a contraption that will slow feed copepods. It’s fairly simple. If you’re interested let me know.

Can you post a picture of your slow feed contraption?

pdisner · Feb 25, 2018

Don’t have one made ATM. I can Make one to show you. I sold my last demo recently and haven’t had the chance yet to make another.

lion king · Feb 25, 2018

I used to have a friend feed my fish, I now have quite a few fish that require specialized feeding. My last vacation I had to hire someone to come in and feed my eels and lions. Check with maintenance companies or preferably an lfs you have good rapport with, or a friend that could handle it.

JCM · Feb 25, 2018

How long of a vacation? A fat, healthy fish should be fine for 5 to 7 days without being fed. A mandarin should also have plenty of natural food in your tank to peck at.

mmw64 · Feb 26, 2018

pdisner said:
I have an idea. I have a contraption that will slow feed copepods. It’s fairly simple. If you’re interested let me know.

I am very interested. Please send more information.

CoralDanimal · Feb 26, 2018

If you have a refugium, I created a small cage with egg crate and then stuffed it full of chaeto (which ideally had some pods in it) and then poured tigger pods on it to live in there so my mandarin could pick them off while I was out of town. I have a huge fuge, but I still supplement with nutramar ova 2-3 times per week since my tank is smaller.

Gahngoo · Feb 27, 2018

mmw64 said:
How do those who have mandarins keep them alive while on vacation? I have an auto feeder but it only takes flakes or dry foods. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Phone a friend and leave detailed, written instructions about feeding.