ORA Blue Mandarin

[TonyM]

Hi:

I am interested in buying a ORA Blue Mandarin, preferably a female. All the ones I come across are extremely small. Any idea where I can get one with some decent size. As always, I appreciate your help!

 

[NashobaTek]

Even the ones I got from saltwater fish were small when they came in. Make sure you're set up to feed them or they'll starve. They're mostly pod eaters unless you can get them to eat frozen or hatch brine shrimp.

 

[ichthyogeek]

I was under the impression that ORA dragonets were trained to eat frozen...

I think part of why they're so tiny, is that ORA is still a business, and they need to reduce running costs. Therefore, as soon as the fish are large enough to survive shipment, they get shipped out, which is much smaller than the large adult females we can get that are wild caught.

 

[NashobaTek]

I was under the impression that ORA dragonets were trained to eat frozen...

They might be, but they might not. My 3 were from saltwater fish, and went to town on pods. As I said even they were small. One of the females was 1/2" or so.

 

[TonyM]

Thanks to all for the responses. If by chance there is a larger ORA blue mandarin available I will pay a premium.

 

[JoshH]

I was under the impression that ORA dragonets were trained to eat frozen...

They claim they are, I've heard of some who have recieved them and were readily eating frozen. However, Mandarins are very well known for reverting back to there original diet of pods/BBS only and someone who is looking at long term care of one needs to be prepared for this eventually...