How does my mandarin look?

[djryan2000]

I have a biota mandarin that's almost 2 years old. He's been steadily growing and is out exploring the tank more now that he's bigger. I used to feed Hikari Mysis but he doesn't seem to be a fan of it now that they changed the formula to make them bigger. I'm struggling to find an adequate replacement. Hikari brine doesn't seem to do the trick. I am going to go back to copepod powder with the PE Calanus too. I ordered TDO extra small pellets as well and will increase feedings and see if that helps. Here's the best pic I could get of him - whenever I try to get close for a picture he runs to a cave!

I cant tell if he's starting to look too skinny or if I'm just being neurotic about him.... any input is appreciated.

 

[Glenner’sreef]

From this angle, I think he looks great. They are constantly feeding in and around your live rock. I have had a spawning pair for years. I’ve heard they’ll eat 100s of pods a day. My opinion is that pods will outbreed your Mandarin’s appetite. I think you’re good.

 

[Tamberav]

Looks good to me! Also with so much algae in the tank you likely have tons of pods.

 

[MaxTremors]

Looks maybe a little skinny (just a little) but hard to tell from that angle.

 

[djryan2000]

Looks good to me! Also with so much algae in the tank you likely have tons of pods.

Thank you. Ironically, i went from having an issue of bottomed out nutrients to fighting nuisance algae and angry SPS from high nutrients after buying him. No remorse, though. I have a chaeto reactor that needs to be plumbed.

 

[djryan2000]

Looks maybe a little skinny (just a little) but hard to tell from that angle.

Thank you. I presume upping the feedings will help? I am currently only feeding once a day but it seems he picks for most of the day on either pods or leftover food thats still in the tank.

 

[djryan2000]

From this angle, I think he looks great. They are constantly feeding in and around your live rock. I have had a spawning pair for years. I’ve heard they’ll eat 100s of pods a day. My opinion is that pods will outbreed your Mandarin’s appetite. I think you’re good.

thank you. I hope you're right about pods - I assumed mine were decimated long ago considering my tank is a 45 aio.

 

[vpierce3]

You might try blood worms. Mine loves them.

 

[blaxsun]

You might try blood worms. Mine loves them.

Yeah, ours loved them too (the fish equivalent of spaghetti!)

 

[jazzfisher]

Look for the frozen V2O Mini mysis. I have 2 mandarins and other small nano fish. Also Nano Reef Fish Frenzy - you have to break it up (mix with a bit of tank water). if needed - doesn’t look like from your photo try adding Entice, it entices them to eat

Mini Marine Mysis Shrimp Frozen Cubes - V2O Aquarium Foods​

 

[DaJMasta]

Mandarins seem to be very visual hunters, and they will basically ignore things they don't recognize as food (and often ignore food that's been sitting around in a way that doesn't catch their attention), so getting something that looks sort of like probably helps. Mine go for hikari and other sized mysis (and they can get surprisingly big chunks into their mouth), but also like bloodworms and chopped foods like marine cuisine blend and LRS's reef frenzy nano. Something fleshy seems to be ideal when they are used to going for frozen foods.

Maybe to encourage them to try something else, feed it alongside a food they like and see if they accidentally go for a bit and like it - that was basically my approach when teaching them to eat frozen in the first place.

I can't tell from the picture if there's a little indent in the back of the body underneath him, but his front part looks pretty good sized. A good indicator if they are problematically thin is how pronounced the line running down the middle of their body (front to back) is, and I don't even see it in yours.

 

[djryan2000]

Mandarins seem to be very visual hunters, and they will basically ignore things they don't recognize as food (and often ignore food that's been sitting around in a way that doesn't catch their attention), so getting something that looks sort of like probably helps. Mine go for hikari and other sized mysis (and they can get surprisingly big chunks into their mouth), but also like bloodworms and chopped foods like marine cuisine blend and LRS's reef frenzy nano. Something fleshy seems to be ideal when they are used to going for frozen foods.

Maybe to encourage them to try something else, feed it alongside a food they like and see if they accidentally go for a bit and like it - that was basically my approach when teaching them to eat frozen in the first place.

I can't tell from the picture if there's a little indent in the back of the body underneath him, but his front part looks pretty good sized. A good indicator if they are problematically thin is how pronounced the line running down the middle of their body (front to back) is, and I don't even see it in yours.

Thank you! I’ll l remember that and try to experiment with more foods and see what happens. Seems bloodworms are a favorite. I’m trying to see where I can buy LRS frenzy without getting hit with $30 shipping

 

[djryan2000]

I have a biota mandarin that's almost 2 years old. He's been steadily growing and is out exploring the tank more now that he's bigger. I used to feed Hikari Mysis but he doesn't seem to be a fan of it now that they changed the formula to make them bigger. I'm struggling to find an adequate replacement. Hikari brine doesn't seem to do the trick. I am going to go back to copepod powder with the PE Calanus too. I ordered TDO extra small pellets as well and will increase feedings and see if that helps. Here's the best pic I could get of him - whenever I try to get close for a picture he runs to a cave!

I cant tell if he's starting to look too skinny or if I'm just being neurotic about him.... any input is appreciated.

Here is the other second picture i was able to get last night

 

[jazzfisher]

Thank you! I’ll l remember that and try to experiment with more foods and see what happens. Seems bloodworms are a favorite. I’m trying to see where I can buy LRS frenzy without getting hit with $30 shipping

Hopefully your LFS has it.

 

[NowGlazeIT]

Here is the other second picture i was able to get last night

Looks great

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Thank you. I presume upping the feedings will help? I am currently only feeding once a day but it seems he picks for most of the day on either pods or leftover food thats still in the tank.

They dont really have stomachs to hold food, so they eat constantly all day non-stop

 

[Andresnyc93]

I saw they look good, not sure if the coloration looks a little dull cause of the lighting but their colors should pop a little more. Here’s mine and they’re only a year old

 

[jazzfisher]

My biota male still goes crazy for the TDO pellets that Biota feeds. I feed food twice a day.

TDO-B2 Chroma Boost Fish Food - Reef Nutrition​

 

[djryan2000]

My biota male still goes crazy for the TDO pellets that Biota feeds. I feed food twice a day.

TDO-B2 Chroma Boost Fish Food - Reef Nutrition​

I ordered some last night! Hopefully mine lost them too

 

[djryan2000]

Hopefully your LFS has it.

I dont think so, but there are a couple that are within an hour away that I will give a call to