Thoughts on mandarins

SeymourDuncan · Jan 19, 2013

Mandarins and cold water:
I recently moved houses and had a nice stock of fish including a large green mandarin. During the move the water got as cold as 45 degrees due to unexpected cold front.

When I got to the house and began unloading the fish into a storage tank I noticed he was very lethargic and almost white, plus he had begun excreting what looked like mayonnaise.

I put him in the tank of equal temp and turned on the heater. Within 20 minutes of heating and keeping him warm in my hands under water he became more active and his color want back to normal.

I don't encourage bare hands on fish for numerous reasons but I felt that his body could use warmth more than the slime coat that regenerates, which it did just fine. I found that a soak in ro can reduce alot of hand oils that can harm creatures.

The mandarin is alive to this day in a 200g reef and getting fatter than ever. Next time I go visit him ill snap a pic for he is one tough mamma jamma

fragmatic · Jan 19, 2013

If I may, I would like to add that a duck billed platypuss is a mammal. They produce milk for their young, the egg thing is a strange trait for a mammal though. However all the other required mammal traits ring true.

Paul B · Jan 19, 2013

If I may, I would like to add that a duck billed platypuss is a mammal.

I think they are a marsupial even though I can't spell it. But they are not ducks.
I did look for them in Australia but they are not that common, especially on the streets of Sydney.

OK, I looked them up and I am wrrrron....wroooon....wrong. You are right, they are not marsupials, but they are almost marsupials and in a study it was found that 85% of them wished they were marsupials.
They are also one of two mammals that posseses poison. Paris Hilton may be the other one but I think that is that Liz Clairborn perfume, or is that Liz Taylor or Lord and Taylor, I get confused.

fragmatic · Jan 19, 2013

Paul B said:
I think they are a marsupial even though I can't spell it. But they are not ducks.
I did look for them in Australia but they are not that common, especially on the streets of Sydney.

OK, I looked them up and I am wrrrron....wroooon....wrong. You are right, they are not marsupials, but they are almost marsupials and in a study it was found that 85% of them wished they were marsupials.
They are also one of two mammals that posseses poison. Paris Hilton may be the other one but I think that is that Liz Clairborn perfume, or is that Liz Taylor or Lord and Taylor, I get confused.

You would be correct on "all three" accounts (Paris IS a mammal - ha ha). Marsupials are mammals too. (I teach a class on mammals, wink) I loved the Paris comment.

Marsupials' mammary glands are in their pouches.

Duckbills are a tough one, and stump many a bar attendee. Mammals develop at least the early stages of their embryos in a placenta. Apparently the Duckbill egg is developed in the placenta, then leaves the womb to be gestated in a leathery egg. Generally, we consider mammals as delivering live young. However, the poor duckbill would not have a classification if not in the mammal taxonomy. It does correctly share the other 10 traits required to fit the mammal taxonomy.

This is not on Reef2Reef subject matter but I wanted to defend you to yourself. LOL -> thanx for listening.

Paul B · Jan 19, 2013

This is not on Reef2Reef subject matter but I wanted to defend you to yourself. LOL -> thanx for listening.

Sure it is, we are talking about an underwater animal that would make a great clean up crew.

SeymourDuncan · Jan 20, 2013

Reefba: the roomba for reefs. Designed by top secret scientists in Brooklyn these genetically stunted sea turtles have become the new hit in reef cleaners. They eat, break, crush, and even shade all your corals and fish. Get 3 now before the sentencing!

AirAngel · Jan 20, 2013

I started my tank (125 reef) about 7 weeks ago and as a noob I used crushed coral for substrate. I do have some livestock and it is cycled.
Can I keep a Mandarin with this substrate??? I really dont want to add sand on top @ this point but I may if required.
Will they be happy and healthy eating copepods I can grow (we'll see) in my fuge? I don't want to raise baby shrimp.
I dont plan on adding one till everything is ready.
I'm also wanting a clown goby. Same questions again.

Mike

Paul B · Jan 21, 2013

My tank uses dolomite which is like crushed coral so that is no problem. I don't have sand. Your tank will be able to handle a mandarin, but not now, it is much to new. Maybe in a year as long as you don't vacuum it to death.