Mandarin feeder

[ReefQueen]

Ok, this could either be a game changer, or something that has been done before for mandarins and I've missed it. Here is my new mandarin feeder, and it works like a charm

Focus on the tube in the back, not on my dirty glass and algae lol. I went crazy on my glass afterwards. Got out the metal blade for the tunze care and everything lol.
Anyway as you can see it is a super simple design that I take no credit for. We use this same idea to feed our axolotls frozen bloodworms at work. It is simply 1" rigid tubing cut to length, and 2 suction cup heater holders (I believe Lee's makes these ones). Drop a cube of frozen whatever in the top and watch it slowly drop down, piece by piece, to your awaiting mandarin (and whoever else wants a bite as you can see). I put it in a low flow are so it has a chance to lay on the bottom for a bit for the mandarin to pick at. I like this better then many of the live feeder options because it is less obvious, plus it ensures that my beloved mandarin will get plenty of food. Who doesn't love a mandarin that eats frozen

As you can see it is very easy to train them to come to this spot during feeding time, look how he is already snooping around for seconds

 

[Ljaus]

It's amazing how the simplest of ideas can make life so much easier.

 

[Diesel]

Nice but it's done before by putting frozen Mysis in a clear PVC and close both ends but drill small holes in the tube as due to the flow some Mysis will come out so now and then.

 

[ReefQueen]

Nice but it's done before by putting frozen Mysis in a clear PVC and close both ends but drill small holes in the tube as due to the flow some Mysis will come out so now and then.

I am having a hard time visualizing this. Do you have any pics? Does it stay vertical or horizontal that way?

 

[Lionfish Lair]

I thaw and rinse the mysis and then soak them in some saltwater. That way they sink to the bottom fast and sit there. We used them mainly to get mysis to the feeding dishes of seahorses. Some people had issues with the seahorses snicking at the mysis as they were coming down, injuring their snout. I've never had that problem. For that reason, some people choose an opaque tubing.

 

[ReefQueen]

I thaw and rinse the mysis and then soak them in some saltwater. That way they sink to the bottom fast and sit there. We used them mainly to get mysis to the feeding dishes of seahorses. Some people had issues with the seahorses snicking at the mysis as they were coming down, injuring their snout. I've never had that problem. For that reason, some people choose an opaque tubing.

Oh man is it creepy to watch that guy "walk" lol. Here I was thinking we were onto something new I am just glad it works and I don't have to worry about my mandarin running out of pods. Maybe someone new will still see this and it will be helpful. I am obviously on here a lot, and reading other articles throughout they day, and I have never seen the tube used for feeding before! Clownfish acclimation yes, but not feeding

 

[Lionfish Lair]

Hey, it's not about the discovering, but the sharing. I've never seen it used for a mandarin.

 

[themcnertney]

I thaw and rinse the mysis and then soak them in some saltwater. That way they sink to the bottom fast and sit there. We used them mainly to get mysis to the feeding dishes of seahorses. Some people had issues with the seahorses snicking at the mysis as they were coming down, injuring their snout. I've never had that problem. For that reason, some people choose an opaque tubing.

What the heck is that thing?

 

[Lionfish Lair]

It's a Bearded Ghoul. Choridactylus multibarbus. He had the disposition of "grumpy cat".

 

[ReefQueen]

It's a Bearded Ghoul. Choridactylus multibarbus. He had the disposition of "grumpy cat".

Those spider legs are so creepy lol. I thought it was a crab with a weird shell at first haha.

 

[DannyB]

I am going to try this as soon as i can get a clear tube. Thanks for posting