Can you have too many pods?

[ffmd21]

I was wondering if you could have too many pods in your tank. I seem to have hundreds in mine. But I also understand that Mandarins eat pods which is what i am wanting to get as my first fish. So if I do that will that naturally take care of the pods? Or should I just not worry about them at all/
Thanks Jim

 

[WaterKeeper]

The more the merrier Jim. Actually, they will be somewhat self limiting as their numbers stabilize based on the food available. The Mandy will clean them up pretty fast so a small refugium is always a help when keeping that fish.

 

[papagimp]

just my opinion (and that of many reefers) a mandarin as a first fish is asking for trouble. They are not a "beginner fish". You are probably seeing a crapload of pods due to the "newness" of your tank. Let it mature some and see how the pod population fairs after a few months before adding one. Most tanks will be loaded with pods in the begining, assuming live rock was used or live sand. But after they initially eat off their food source, their numbers will die back some. Get a mandarin now, and pods die off later, you'll end up with a dead mandarin after a few months of starvation. Do some research on the dragonettes before you rush to the lfs to buy one.

 

[rafa316]

Sadly I agree Cause I want one really bad, but im such a n00b still

 

[Nano Chris]

I have been told leave the tank mature than consider a mandarin after a year (which is what I'm doing) another thing i read is mandarins eat constantly, so you need a fuge and a load of pods.

 

[returnofsid]

I agree with the above. I have a Mandarin in a tank that's smaller than recommended (a 46 bowtank). The tank was about 8 months old before I introduced the mandarin. That entire 8 months, I had a large CPR aquafuge full of chaeto on the tank. Pods were growing like crazy. Just in case, I also set up a 10 gallon "pod" tank specifically to grow pods. The tank has about 70# of live rock and there's a 4" sand bed in the aquafuge along with a good amount of rubble rock. I've had the mandarin now for about 8 months and it's growing well. I can always look in my tank and see pods and mysid shrimp scurrying around. The Aquafuge is still LOADED with pods and shrimp.

Another thing to consider...Don't have ANY other fish in the tank that will compete for the same food. Also be wary of Anemones. Mandarins are slow and methodical. From what I understand, it's common for Anemones to catch them. I do have a large RBTA in my 46 and have had no problem at all though.

Eventually, my Mandarin will go in my 75 but I'll wait probably a year until that tanks mature enough.

 

[Krazy]

I waited about 10 months before gettin a mandrin for my 90gallon, I have a small 4 gallon fuge,I think I'm one of the more lucky fellows for once though as my mandrin just LOVES mysis shrimp at feeding time.. That sucker will easily swallow up 10-15 every night...

 

[Lotus99]

I had a lot of pods for the first month or two, but the population has declined sharply as I've added fish. While I thought a month or two ago I had a lot, I now have a lot fewer. Pod populations apparently also increase and decrease periodically as the tank matures.

I'd say wait for the mandarin until you have a really stable tank.

 

[saltpeter]

If you think you see hundreds , then there are thousands too small to see . It's only great news !