Green mandarin experts

[nait002]

I purchased a heathy looking green mandarin on Friday. The fish looked very healty at the fish store. The stomach was not deflated, the colors were vibrant, and the breathing looked regular. I acclimated it like I do all my fish and by Sunday morning it was gone. Nowhere to be seen.
I have a million pods in the sump and also in the tank. Now I know these fish don't get ick so what are some explanations why this fish is gone. Can this fish eat itself to death like a goldfish will? Stress from the transfer? Any help would be great because I plan to get another one soon. Thanks

 

[anydarnthing]

They're good at hiding and might be behind your live rock, I have gone weeks without seeing my mandarin.

 

[McCrary]

In a 120 don't worry if you don't see him. We went looking for a mandarin in a 155. We didn't find him. A month later we some him sitting on some rocks.

 

[Angel*Fish]

Ditto above - he's probably in a pod heavy area of your tank loading up on pods

Just for the record I believe they are resistant to ich but can still get it & will die from it just like any other fish

 

[nait002]

So what your saying is don't buy another one just yet. Wait a couple months or so to see if it's still in there.

 

[Angel*Fish]

I you buy another one - make sure it's the opposite sex. 2 males will not tolerate each other

Here's a photo of my pair - they do their spawning dance every night - very cool to watch

 

[ewaldm]

Every mandarin that I've had experience with has always been a very shy fish. One of those fish that you only see once in awhile.

 

[Greg129]

Wow, look at that full stomach on that mandarin! Nice job, Angel*Fish!

 

[Angel*Fish]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7067924#post7067924 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Greg129
Wow, look at that full stomach on that mandarin! Nice job, Angel*Fish!

Thanks! Those are eggs. Sometimes she looks like she swallowed a a golfball.

 

[nait002]

I'll have to wait awhile to see if it's a female or male.

 

[impur]

I would check around the tank, under the stand etc if you have an open top. I had an awesome female for about 9months, ate frozen foods readily, then one day just jumped.

 

[Angel*Fish]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7070724#post7070724 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by impur
I would check around the tank, under the stand etc if you have an open top. I had an awesome female for about 9months, ate frozen foods readily, then one day just jumped.

Sadly -- that's a good suggestion. Sorry about your fish, impur

 

[nait002]

Great suggestion I'll look now.

 

[impur]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7071056#post7071056 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Angel*Fish
Sadly -- that's a good suggestion. Sorry about your fish, impur

Thanks, it was a sad day i loved that fish.

I hope this didn't happen in your case nait002!

 

[nait002]

Well it hasn't jumped so I'l wait. Mabey it'll shine around.

 

[impur]

Hope so! My mandarin loved frozen blood worms. Might try dropping some in there, could coax it out.

 

[Angel*Fish]

IME mandarins are not strongly shy fish - they just kind of don't need to be out in the open a lot because what they do all day is search for pods on the rocks & pods that are out during the day tend to be in darker hidden areas.

Mandarins also tend to be up in the water column just after dark or at dusk either mating or looking for another fish to mate with.

You might try checking out your tank in the evening when the lights are off but with say a lamp on in the next room or with the moon lights on if you have them. Not late at night or anything - just like within an hour or so after lights off. In my tank if the lights stay on later than usual, they just spawn with the lights on - for my tank that's about 10 PM. Lights off usuaully at 9:30.

Anyway sit across the room from the tank & watch for him in the upper water column.

Hope this helps

 

[IHP_Marine]

Let us know if you find him please.

How do I know if my Mandy is a male or female? Anyone know this?

 

[impur]

The first spine on the dorsal fin will extend farther than the fin does on the males.

 

[nait002]

Benn a whole week now. No mandarine on the floor or in the rocks. Still going to wait awhile. Never know.