Dragonface Pipes?

[sdunkin]

Can they do well in a mixed reef with other fish?

I have a 40 bdr with a 29 sump/fuge that I would like to add a pair of banded pipes to if it is an option. The only inhabitants right now are a pair of picasso clowns, a firefish, a green banded goby, and a fat target mandarin (eating frozen). It has a mix of LPS and softies.

I add at least one bag of ORA reef pods to the tank a month to keep the pod population up. If possible I would like to train the pipes to eat frozen (mysis) if possible before I turn them loose in the tank.

Would this work, or is it just a bad idea all around?

 

[rssjsb]

I wouldn't try a pipe in a 40 with a mandarin, even if the mandarin is eating frozen. You can't count on the pipes ever taking frozen. I'll bet the mandarin is still eating all the pods growing in or added to the tank as well as the frozen food you're giving it.

My advice is to feel good about keeping the mandarin fat and happy and leave well enough alone.

 

[Psychographic]

If you can train them to eat frozen, I don't see any problems.

I have a Dragonface that eats flakes!

 

[Flavum]

a dragonface that eats flakes huh? well what are the odds of that like 1 ina 100000000000

 

[sdunkin]

I was thinking about putting them in a QT for a few weeks, then instead of adding them directly to the tank put them in a breeder net inside it so that I hopefully will have plenty of time to train them to frozen. If it comes down to it, I really think I would rather have a pair of pipes than the mandarin and I can easily find it a new home (in a bigger tank that mine of course).