Need help with mandarins

holden_smith · Dec 7, 2015

I have just purchased a mandarin and it seems to be very shy and won't come out to eat, I'm nervous that it might starve

Is it normal for these fish to hide in the rock?

What can I do to get it to come out of hiding to eat?

saltyphish · Dec 7, 2015

Couple of questions. What size tank do you have and how old is it? Also, what are you trying to feed it? Mandarins typically will not eat prepared foods. In most cases they only will eat live pods and if your tank does not have enough pod population to support the Mandarins constant grazing they will starve and die unless you train them to eat prepared foods which can be challenging. You can buy live pods online or maybe a lfs near you sells them. That would help you but could be expensive.

twilliard · Dec 7, 2015

Welcome to R2R!
Algae barn will help you if your tank is fairly new

holden_smith · Dec 7, 2015

@saltyphish 60 gallon cube, and a couple months old, and I have live pods, how do I feed them it

Reefbrite · Dec 7, 2015

Great for filter feeders, corals and will help maintain healthy pod populations.

TylerS · Dec 7, 2015

this issue is near the top of every list I've seen for "noob mistakes". I've seen it suggested to never buy a mandarin for a tank less than 90 gallons because it's likely that the tank won't produce a self sustaining level of pods. Also keep in mind that your problem could be worse if there are other fish in the tank that also eat pods.

holden_smith · Dec 7, 2015

I have a bottle of live pods do I put the entire bottle in or a little bit at a time?

twilliard · Dec 7, 2015

If they are alive pour it in.

holden_smith · Dec 7, 2015

Ok thank you

saltyfilmfolks · Dec 7, 2015

TylerS said:
this issue is near the top of every list I've seen for "noob mistakes". I've seen it suggested to never buy a mandarin for a tank less than 90 gallons because it's likely that the tank won't produce a self sustaining level of pods. Also keep in mind that your problem could be worse if there are other fish in the tank that also eat pods.

I guess I shouldn't have kept the mandarin in the 30g for all those years.
They are shy fish. pretty soon it will come out and get with the party. Really cool personality.
Do as above and get the pods going. dump them all in. Pods eat algae so a little spirulina in the water will get them going. Dump the whole bottle in BTW.
youll have to experiment with food as they are pickers. mine now prefer mini mysis, they were hot to trot on frozen rotifers. we turn of the pumps for an hour at dinner time. the pods will keep em going till they find a food they like and theyll get used to feeding time.
If you dont have a refugium get one. even HOB. its a pod maker.
this is the best deal on pods I have found anywhere
http://www.reefs2go.com/product/MAC...efugium-Algae-Pack--Mini---FREE-SHIPPING.html
macros are a bit weak but the pods rock.

holden_smith · Dec 7, 2015

Thank you @saltyfilmfolks

pokerdobe · Dec 7, 2015

Just train it to eat frozen. Ocean Nutrition lobster ROE and bloodworms work great.

domination2580 · Dec 7, 2015

I had a 55 with a pod population, I think as long as u have a growing pod population you will do fine. I had two green mandarins and a red scooter Blenny. All are happy and fat.

TylerS · Dec 7, 2015

I was just thinking about this. I wonder if it helps to add the pods at night on lower flow settings. It might help them get into the rocks. I guess it probably depends on what other types of fish you have in the tank.

twilliard · Dec 7, 2015

TylerS said:
I was just thinking about this. I wonder if it helps to add the pods at night on lower flow settings. It might help them get into the rocks. I guess it probably depends on what other types of fish you have in the tank.

This is correct