New Manderain Feeding

Lt Nos · Sep 3, 2011

Just got a Target Man. From a friend that has thrived in his tank for a couple months I believe, it is small but fat, I've had my 29 gal set up for 2 years with just a dragon goby. I'm wondering how long it will take the Target to clean out my pod population, or even if he will for that matter. I probably have about 40 lbs of live rock in this tank. I have dosed pods as well over 6 months ago on the hopes of buying a Manderian, but never found one locally that I saw eat in the store. This one will also show some interest in froz brine and mysis. I'm contemplating growing pods, but I'm sure my wife would disagree with that idea.

Rockadile · Sep 3, 2011

it will clean your population of pods out fairly quickly. they are constantly grazing and eating. most people do not recommend them for smaller tanks like yours but if you have a fuge of some sort to help feed your tank with pods you may be ok.

bct15 · Sep 3, 2011

Let me tell you about my recent mandarin experience as it is very pertinent to your situation.

I ended up getting two male mandarins from live aquaria when I tried ordering a pair. One male constantly bullied the other one to the point he got really thin and appeared really weak. The only way to save the weakened male was to move him to my 29 gallon with my onyx clowns, with about 40# of liverock. He has since fattened up to a decent size and looks healthier than ever (good color, activity, and fins are back to normal), he eats frozen brine, mysis, and bloodworms. I only have a HOB filter and protein skimmer on the 29 gallon (no refugium) and he has been in there for about a month. I do feed that tank two times a day though, but do not add any sort of pods to the system at all...I still see them all over the sides too.

In short, I put a very weakened, imiciated mandarin in a 29 gallon tank with no refugium and he has fully recovered and is now healthier than ever. So if yours is eating frozen it is possible for it to thrive in a 29 gallon setup, just keep an eye on him and if he gets bad take corrective action.