Manderin goby

[Hallowhead]

Howdy,

Picked up a manderin over the weekend. Floated for 30 than drip acclimated for a good 30 before adding to an acclimation box in the tank for an hour.

He was breathing very heavy the whole time. He had some stressfull events happen in the store from jumping out of the specimen container to being rebagged so I kind of peg it on that.

I can't find him in the tank - and yes I have a screen top he can't fit out of.

It's a 30 gallon tank do not many spots to hide but I'm questioning if he's dead under a rock or something. Do people find they hide for the first week or so?

 

[Frizzy reefnewb]

Howdy,

Picked up a manderin over the weekend. Floated for 30 than drip acclimated for a good 30 before adding to an acclimation box in the tank for an hour.

He was breathing very heavy the whole time. He had some stressfull events happen in the store from jumping out of the specimen container to being rebagged so I kind of peg it on that.

I can't find him in the tank - and yes I have a screen top he can't fit out of.

It's a 30 gallon tank do not many spots to hide but I'm questioning if he's dead under a rock or something. Do people find they hide for the first week or so?

Usually they are not shy I’ve had 2 and both times they immediately started picking at the rocks ....

 

[Hallowhead]

Usually they are not shy I’ve had 2 and both times they immediately started picking at the rocks ....

dang - I thought so too. I'm nervous he's kicked it - and should call LFS to tell them he didn't make it for a hopeful replacement but I'm wanting to give him a little while longer

 

[Uncle99]

Hiding would not be usual at all.

 

[Hallowhead]

Hiding would not be usual at all.

Another sad post - okay maybe have to lift a rock or two tonight.

 

[Uncle99]

Another sad post - okay maybe have to lift a rock or two tonight.

“Another sad post”?
I not sure what you mean, I’d lift nothing.
I can’t find this one for days at a time, and she’s 4 years old.
She also jumped out of the tank for maybe 15-20 minutes, on the floor, went back in a little dry, did see again for weeks.
Then one night, seen her pecking.

 

[Hallowhead]

“Another sad post”?
I not sure what you mean, I’d lift nothing.
I can’t find this one for days at a time, and she’s 4 years old.
She also jumped out of the tank for maybe 15-20 minutes, on the floor, went back in a little dry, did see again for weeks.

You said hiding isn't usual. Maybe a typo?

 

[Uncle99]

Your right sorry,
I meant to say Hiding is very usual.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

mandarins dont hide very long, they can't hide for days, they need to eat constantly, all day every day. If you havent seen him since the weekend you should try to find it in the tank, I would surprised if it was alive. Good luck

 

[Hallowhead]

mandarins dont hide very long, they can't hide for days, they need to eat constantly, all day every day. If you havent seen him since the weekend you should try to find it in the tank, I would surprised if it was alive. Good luck

I got him Sunday and he entered the tank Sunday evening, I will look a little tonight.

 

[gonzo620]

I think hiding is very unusual. I'm always able to find my mandarin. May not be in the front but he may be cruising behind rocks in the back of the tank. Definitely able to spot him within a minute.

 

[Hallowhead]

It's interesting, because there are are no holes for him to have jumped out - and if I am being honest, there are 3 large rock structures, (2) of which have the ability to easily burrow underneath. One of those is housed by my diamond goby & the other my orchid dottyback. All my fish are pretty docile, so I am not sure where he would have burrowed... Do they even burrow?

 

[blaxsun]

I think hiding is very unusual. I'm always able to find my mandarin. May not be in the front but he may be cruising behind rocks in the back of the tank. Definitely able to spot him within a minute.

The only time they will stop moving to any extent is at night when they’re dormant (then you’ll find them curled up in a cave or under an outcropping). I’d endeavour to find him sooner as opposed to later.

They don’t burrow and they’re not notorious jumpers. If you have an AIO, did you check the sump?

 

[Hallowhead]

The only time they will stop moving to any extent is at night when they’re dormant (then you’ll find them curled up in a cave or under an outcropping). I’d endeavour to find him sooner as opposed to later.

only 3 rocks to lift - so shouldn't be too hard. Just hope if I find him I don't restart the stressed stage

 

[blaxsun]

Copepods will help.

 

[Hallowhead]

I've added loads of copepods ahead of adding him to the tank, and I am setting up a breeder

 

[blaxsun]

I've added loads of copepods ahead of adding him to the tank, and I am setting up a breeder

Assuming he survives, he’ll clean out your tank in short order. You may want to try experimenting with calanus, ROE and brine through a baster.

I have two Mandarins who’ve adapted to eat a wide variety of food: calanus, nutramar, ROE, brine, blood worms, mysis and the larger one even eats pellets.

So while I do have pods (and occasionally replenish), it’s not their primary source of food.

 

[gonzo620]

If you have a healthy cleanup crew. It may be difficult to find. Between the pods bristle worms and hermits. A small fish can be stripped pretty quick. I had a potters angle years ago I could catch in time. Powder Blue tang nipped his tail fin completely off over 2 days of introduction. Then it disappeared. 2 days later only bones.

 

[Hallowhead]

I have more bristle worms than humanly possible so I'm hoping not the case - remaining positive

 

[Huskymaniac]

Apparently no one has added a biota baby in a tank with 300 pounds of Live Rock. I couldn't find mine for over 2 months and then it just randomly appeared.