Hey everyone, quick question. I want a mandarin dragonet and a Kole tang, but not sure which order to put them in. It's a 75 gallon reef, by the way. I haven't set anything up yet, just planning. I know dragonets need tons of pods, so basically a mature aquarium. Do I add it in before or after the tang? Aggression issues for the tang are a possibility.
Mandarin Dragonet
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ndrwater
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I wouldn't worry to much about the aggression between the two as they have two very different diets. That said, I wouldn't even consider a Mandarin until the tank is AT LEAST a year old.
Maddlesrain
Valuable Member
Based on what I've seen with my dragonet, I really wouldn't worry about aggression at all. Even my biggest tank bullies don't give the dragonet a second glance. Something about them seems to make other fish overlook them.
+1 to waiting before adding one to your tank.
So I guess with those two pieces of info, I'd say most definitely the tang first
+1 to waiting before adding one to your tank.
So I guess with those two pieces of info, I'd say most definitely the tang first
ReefTank_20g
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Based on what I've seen with my dragonet, I really wouldn't worry about aggression at all. Even my biggest tank bullies don't give the dragonet a second glance. Something about them seems to make other fish overlook them.
+1 to waiting before adding one to your tank.
So I guess with those two pieces of info, I'd say most definitely the tang first
Thanks for the info! I'll definitely do that considering the time it takes to get a stable pod population.
ReefTank_20g
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If I can purchase a dragonet that accepts frozen food would I still have to wait? This is all speculation so I'll just do what is best for the fish in the long run.
ndrwater
2500 Club Member
Dragonets that eat Pellets/frozen ARE out there, but oftentimes aren't readily a available. Reason is, the wild caught are currently so much cheaper.
Personally, I would err on the side of caution unless you are guaranteed that the fish is captive bred.
All that aside, dragonets can be sensitive to fluctuating water quality like that in a newly established tank.
Best of luck in whichever direction you decide to go, and keep the questions coming!!
Personally, I would err on the side of caution unless you are guaranteed that the fish is captive bred.
All that aside, dragonets can be sensitive to fluctuating water quality like that in a newly established tank.
Best of luck in whichever direction you decide to go, and keep the questions coming!!
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Maddlesrain
Valuable Member
That's definitely a good plan, even if your new mandy does eat frozen. Mine eats frozen, but she also spends her entire day picking "bugs" off the rocks, so you need that source of food for the fish. The frozen is more of a bonus I think... because they are such meticulous eaters, there's no way they can compete with faster-paced fish. She wasn't captive bred, but I got lucky. Didn't add her until the tank had been running for years though.
I have a 75 gallon reef tank for a little over 2 months now i waited till i was cycled roughly 4 weeks i put In a bunch of copepods and add rotifers 2x a week my ruby red dragonet is awesome and my clowns I see em eating the copepods as well it's funny but definitely don't rush it mature your tank first it's all about your parameters but maturity is key
Forgot to add i added the clowns first the waited a week then added my dragonet
Yup. Wait. You'll be happier and so will the fish.
The ruby reds are easier. They have a different digestive track. I.e. They don't need to feed constantly. Mandy's do.
The ruby reds are easier. They have a different digestive track. I.e. They don't need to feed constantly. Mandy's do.
Deffenetly whait for at least a year ,for you tank to get stability, i did some thing to my 135 that i never tough it coul be done i got 4 dragonets red mandarin, red dragonet,regular dradogent and a spoted green mandarin all doing well getting along real happy whit my decision
