Enough pods for mandarin???

[Reefer1991]

This is a silly question... but when you say pods are you referring to copepods or amphipods?

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Copepods are their main diet. Amphipods are too large but if they are reproducing in your tank than your mandy can eat the baby amphipods. They feed off many different crustaceans, not just copepods I believe. Thats what I have read atleast. I'm no expert(obviously since I posted this thread lol)

 

[Reefer1991]

just leave him alone and see how he does. they like to sleep in the sand bed, and often cover themselves with bits of sand and lose their coloration while resting.

Thanks for the info. Yea the first night I had him he slept in the open and I could've sworn he was dead because he was a milky white kind of like how fish look when they die. I shined a light on him and he regained his color.

I thought he was dead this morning because a trochus snail was on him, but I guess he was in a deep sleep and didnt mind the snail because he looks fine now.

I read that they should be striking at the rock once every ten seconds. Mine pecks at the rock but more like once every thirty seconds. Other than that he seems fine (swimming around the rock, normal respiration, and awesome color.) If I had to guess I'd say he's probably around 2- 2 1/2 inches

 

[Reefer1991]

I might just be paranoid because I really want this fish to thrive, but each day it seems like he gets noticabley skinnier and he has a protruding line running down his sides. He pecks at the rocks a lot now (once every 5 seconds or so). Is it possible for him to lose weight that quick? Am I just paranoid? I read that if the mandarin is pecking, then it's eating. How true is that? I know for a fact I have pods, hence why I'm not sure if I'm paranoid, or if he is actually losing weight.

Here's a picture. You cant really see the line but maybe you guys can help me out with judging how he looks. (Sorry not the best pics)

 

[MondoBongo]

how does that compare to when you got him?

have you tried offering supplemental feedings of anything?

 

[Reefer1991]

He's definitely skinnier.
This morning I was looking at him before lights on and right behind his fins, his side is definitely a bit concave. Im just so confused though because he is pecking at the rock non stop. I feel like he should be gaining weight but sadly that's not the case.

I haven't tried to feed him directly, but when I fed my fish mysis and rods, some bits of food passed him and he didn't look interested. I'll try target feeding him when I get home from work tonight and see if he goes for it.


Is it true that each time they peck they are actually eating a pod?

 

[Reefer1991]

I just tried target feeding him with no success. He swims away from the baster when it gets close and when he swims away, it's hard to find him again with 90 lbs of lr. I'll try again tomorrow.

Is it normal for a mandarin to lose weight that quick even if it wasn't eating at all? Like I said, he's always pecking around, yet he's losing weight rapidly and his body right behind his fins is a square shape because he's getting pretty skinny.

I'd hate to do it, but I'm almost tempted to treat my tank with prazi just in case he has worms.

 

[Reefer1991]

Everywhere I'm reading says that once their stomachs are sunken, they're practically on their way out.

.... so I guess my Mandy's doomed? I was going to order chaeto for my fuge to increase my pods, but from what most people say it sounds like it's too late because his stomach is definitely concave and the line running down his side is very noticeable....... the pictures don't show how skinny the little guy is.

 

[Reefer1991]

Just tried again this morning with the same result.


Any input on if I should treat with prazi?