Mandarin Gobies - 3's Company

[NanoCrazed]

Ok, so dating myself a bit with the thread title but seems fitting.

1 green male, 1 green female, and 1 spotted female...all living together (so far)

I couldn't find time to get to my office to introduce my new pair of green mandarins in my tank there before my biz trip. So thought I would take a chance and temporarily place the pair in my home tank...which already housed a spotted mandarin female. If it failed I would've force fitted a drive to the office...which would have sucked.

Was nervous and ready to pull the fish out should any signs of aggression show. But lo and behold -- all three of them decided to huddle up. Been watching them all day, so far so good. Even took a few peeks after lights out, and see the 2 females sleeping together with the male green mandarin sleeping a few inches away.

So now, I'm encouraged and considering pushing the bounds of conventional wisdom a bit and see if the 3 might get a long in the longer term.

(Just in case, I set up a separate tank and started a pod farm in addition to the pod hotel and lots of LR in the DT)

...

 

[melev]

That's great news. I had four in my 280g years ago, and loved seeing them out and about.

Mandarins are not in the goby family, they are dragonettes.

 

[Maritimer]

Lucky you!

My spotted mandarin took instant exception to a pair of greens added to her tank.

~Bruce

 

[NanoCrazed]

Took a peek last night to check on the mandarins to make sure everyone is well after returning from my trip. Saw the male green mandarin sleeping on top of the target female. He didn't care for the photo opp.

Though this morning, she was a lil snippy at the green female for a split second at feeding time. But all's well shortly after.

Looking like this may work out well...

(Not to mention I saw my target actually eat some frozen mysis and eggs I was feeding the others. So my fear of pod shortage may be over!)