different Mandarin Types - do they eat/behave the same?

[trukgirl]

So after 2+ yrs I am finally ready to make my first Mandarin purchase!
(I have ZILLIONS of pods in my 125g!! I also have a healthy population in the 12g refugium area of my sump.)

My hubby and I both like the Green and Red. However, one of my local LFSs always have Spotted Mandarins (like below). My question is: Is there a difference in behavior and/or eating habits between the Green, Red, and Spotted?? I really like all 3 of them in the looks department. I can only find lots of info on the Green.

<a href="http://s33.photobucket.com/albums/d75/trukgirl/FISH/?action=view&current=67293f06.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d75/trukgirl/FISH/67293f06.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

 

[kawicivic]

This is a good question so hopefully responding will get additional input. I have always heard that spotteds are a little easier to keep.

 

[treylane]

"greens" and "reds" (Synchiropus splendidus) are identical fish, just a little different in the color department.

Spotteds (Synchiropus picturatus) stay smaller and have less elaborate fins, but they behave basically the same as S. splendidus.

 

[alton]

The trick with either is they don't compete for food very well. I have a spotted in my 29 with my jawfish. He gets what the jawfish don't, and since jawfish don't move much the mandarin gets plenty. In my 40 the same thing I have a green with jawfish, the mandarin is my clean up fish. And one red in my 300, in there he 100's of lbs of live rock to hunt.

 

[snorvich]

"greens" and "reds" (Synchiropus splendidus) are identical fish, just a little different in the color department.

Spotteds (Synchiropus picturatus) stay smaller and have less elaborate fins, but they behave basically the same as S. splendidus.

That is correct. From my experience all require copepods but will eat frozen supplementally if they can get it.

 

[amazo]

My spotted will eat frozen mysis and is in a tank with a small pod population and she looks nice and fat,but i've only seen one of my 2 greens pick at frozen once.The greens have gotten a little touchy at points,where their stomach becomes slightly indented,thats where supplimental feeding comes in.When that happened I added some pods and brine shrimp (they are in different tanks 1 in my main reef 1 in my seahorse tank) and they fatten right up.My display tank one is fat as can be and is about 10-12 months,the seahorse(spotted is in my 3rd tank FOWL) one has been alittle on the thin side (seahorses eat pods too and the tank is under a year old) and I check him every day but he has getting better he's out of danger of starvation but i'd like to see him get bigger(hes about 4-6 months old).

 

[sslak]

Synchiropus picturatus (spotted) have a slightly better reputation for being able to be trained onto frozen foods.

On the other hand I purchased a splendidus (green) and I was able to train it to eat frozen.

 

[Vlado4x4]

I allready hace a Spotted, can i get a S. splendidus, as well or is it going to be mayham ?

I have a 220g + sump with over 200lbs of LR

 

[davocean]

I allready hace a Spotted, can i get a S. splendidus, as well or is it going to be mayham ?

I have a 220g + sump with over 200lbs of LR

I would make sure one is male and one is female to be safe.
I have heard/read that spotted's tend to be quicker to take prep'd foods, but I still would not rely on that to sustain them long term, they will still need an abundant amount of pods.

 

[small alien]

I'm watching an ORA target starve right now. Second one. It just won't eat.

Targets seem to be a little more gregarious from what I've seen.

I'm done with mandarins. I've probably lost 5 in 4 years, both wild and captive bred. I've had better luck with pipefish.

 

[small alien]

Double post

 

[snorvich]

"greens" and "reds" (Synchiropus splendidus) are identical fish, just a little different in the color department.

Spotteds (Synchiropus picturatus) stay smaller and have less elaborate fins, but they behave basically the same as S. splendidus.

Yes, that is correct. The dorsal fin of Synchiropus picturatus is not as pronounced as that of Synchiropus splendidus which makes sexing them slightly less easy (male is still spiked, but not as long). Behavior and habits are virtually identical.

 

[snorvich]

I'm watching an ORA target starve right now. Second one. It just won't eat.

Targets seem to be a little more gregarious from what I've seen.

I'm done with mandarins. I've probably lost 5 in 4 years, both wild and captive bred. I've had better luck with pipefish.

Unfortunately the ORA mandarins have had mixed results. I have kept wild caught for many, many years, however. I have a mating pair now (red).

I am envious of success with pipefish!!!!

 

[snorvich]

I would make sure one is male and one is female to be safe.

Yes, otherwise world war III

I have heard/read that spotted's tend to be quicker to take prep'd foods, but I still would not rely on that to sustain them long term, they will still need an abundant amount of pods.

All my wild caught have eaten PE mysis and Nutramar Ova BUT since I only feed 2-3 times per day, and other fish are better hunters, that would never sustain them properly.

 

[Mr.Walden]

Like already stated Spotted has a better rep for taking frozen; but with a 125 G that has a fuge you should be fine keeping any of them. Singly of course.

 

[Vlado4x4]

Can i mix a female spotted with a green male ? Or another mandarin male ?

 

[snorvich]

Can i mix a female spotted with a green male ? Or another mandarin male ?

Somewhat depends on tank size, but in larger tanks, a female and male together work irrespective of species.