Naoxyn
Community Member
I'm hoping to eventually put together a 40gal AOI tank together with a HOB fuge. Would that be big enough for 2 rubies and 2 mandarins? Or, is that too much in too little of a space?
Pairing Mandarinfish
- Thread starter SourAngelfish
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It would be difficult to keep even one mandarin in that size tank w/out some kind of pod supplementation long term, or some kind of diner like Paul B's type of thing that allowed them to eat constantly, as that's what they do, basically a metabolism issue.
Naoxyn
Community Member
Thats the plan for the HOB Fuge. I originally was going to do a hob overflow into a sump fuge, but the pods not surviving the trip up to the DT seems not worth it. So, as large of a HOB fuge I can fit seems to be the best option for a pod safehaven.
Paul B
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No, it would not be big enough. I am quite sure those fish will starve in a couple of months or earlier.
People sometimes parrot incorrect information.
I'm sure it's hard for some to wrap their head around pods running the coaster ride, but they do.
Unless they are eating prepared foods, you should only keep one for each 40 - 75g with just as much pounds of live rock(double the amount of rock would be even better). A 20g sump fuge would be a good starting size.
If you see that you still have a healthy looking mandarin and plenty of pods scattering around after 3+months, then you could consider adding a second one. They will try to out compete each other for food, and if your system cant sustain them, they will all end up going down hill.
If you can get your hands on the female and know for sure you have a male, should be okay. No guarantees on any pairing though. Good luck! I have been looking for a male spotted for over two years now. Can only seem to find females.
There is way to suggest to DD what you would like to see added. I asked for a male red mandarin to be added. And watched daily and when they had one I snagged it. Got to see it before I bought it.
Shelley
Surfzone
Well-Known Member
Make sure the male is larger than the female and all will be fine
PicassoClown04
5000 Club Member
Yeah I had a single ruby red dragonet for about two days... three different LFS said they weren’t jumpers and I have an open lid peninsula tank.... yep jumped out around 11 am, seems weird considering all y’all are saying that they only really jump at night. Nothing was in the room with them and the only other fish were a 1 inch pair of clowns
Surfzone
Well-Known Member
hope for the best. I say get a larger male is because if the female is larger she will chase him from her territory and not spawn. In a tank that could lead to the death of the male if he can't get away. I know spawning may not be your goal but it is still basic compatibility.
Surfzone
Well-Known Member
That size tank should be good for two of them the male may out grow the female in a tank that size. I would look for signs of aggression between them. During the day they will more than likely ignore each other but at dusk is when you need to watch out for a more aggressive fish.
OK, the male is here. He is not too small, about the same size as the female. I decided not to use an acclimation box. I put him in the tank after acclimation. They are aware of each other, on the same side of the tank, the female is peacefully plucking pods off rocks, the male is hiding in a cave
too excited and anxious at the moment...they have just started hanging out together and lights are about to go off...will try to post tomorrow if they don't kill each other overnight, fingers crossed
