Looking to add my last fish..help me make a decision!

[Alexraptor]

People really need to stop perpetuating the outmoded dogma regarding mandarins, as well as the perpetuation of the myth that they must have pods.
Wild mandarins feed on a variety of lipid rich microfauna and even have a second set of jaws for crushing small hard-shelled creatures such as tiny snails and hermits.(emphasis on "tiny")

This is 2014, not 2004.
In the last year or two great strides have been made in keeping mandarins in Nano's and getting them weaned off live foods.
In fact some even assert that its irresponsible to throw a mandarin into a huge tank to fend for itself without target feeding.
And there are now people cropping up who are able to "consistently" train virtually any individual to accept prepared foods with a little time and patience.

Honestly, they are even commercially bred these days, and they most certainly are not raised without active feeding.
http://www.tfhmagazine.com/saltwater-reef/feature-articles/breeding-mandarins-full-article.htm

That said, taking a mandarin under your wing does require that you are aware of their needs and make sure you are able to meet them(which really goes for "any" fish or animal period), be it providing them with a source of live foods or training them to accept prepared foods.
But comments like "it will starve in "x" size" tank is ultimately not helpful or even true.

 

[Fish_King_25]

People really need to stop perpetuating the outmoded dogma regarding mandarins, as well as the perpetuation of the myth that they must have pods.
Wild mandarins feed on a variety of lipid rich microfauna and even have a second set of jaws for crushing small hard-shelled creatures such as tiny snails and hermits.(emphasis on "tiny")

This is 2014, not 2004.
In the last year or two great strides have been made in keeping mandarins in Nano's and getting them weaned off live foods.
In fact some even assert that its irresponsible to throw a mandarin into a huge tank to fend for itself without target feeding.
And there are now people cropping up who are able to "consistently" train virtually any individual to accept prepared foods with a little time and patience.

Honestly, they are even commercially bred these days, and they most certainly are not raised without active feeding.
http://www.tfhmagazine.com/saltwater-reef/feature-articles/breeding-mandarins-full-article.htm

That said, taking a mandarin under your wing does require that you are aware of their needs and make sure you are able to meet them(which really goes for "any" fish or animal period), be it providing them with a source of live foods or training them to accept prepared foods.
But comments like "it will starve in "x" size" tank is ultimately not helpful or even true.

Well said. In any hobby..(or aspect of life for that matter) there will always be differences of opinions, but isn't that the point? Plenty of people do different things, and get positive results..look at Paul B (sorry Paul lol) he threw the rulebook out in 1912 and I don't know anyone else that can say they've had a reef tank for 40+years..with multiple species spawning and reproducing and thriving.

I love my mandarin, knew he'd be a challenge in my 29g, but also knew I had what it took to care for him, and almost as year (knock on wood) and he's going strong!

 

[Fish_King_25]

I'm thinking of possibly going with...

another perc clown
royal gramma
6 line wrasse
helfrichi's firefish

I know the 6 line might be aggressive, but going in last, and me having a chromis established already I don't think I'll run into any issues. My two gobies and the mandarin won't care about the 6 line lol. I've always wanted a Helfrichs firefish, I'm going to see if any of my LFS can get a nice healthy one in for me..6 lines are everywhere

 

[Fishy 1]

I'm thinking of possibly going with...

another perc clown
royal gramma
6 line wrasse
helfrichi's firefish

I know the 6 line might be aggressive, but going in last, and me having a chromis established already I don't think I'll run into any issues. My two gobies and the mandarin won't care about the 6 line lol. I've always wanted a Helfrichs firefish, I'm going to see if any of my LFS can get a nice healthy one in for me..6 lines are everywhere

The six line could go completly loopy, think about a possum or a small sp of flasher wrasse. They tend to be a safer bet.

 

[Paul B]

Mandarin info
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2253223

References:
Me

 

[Fish_King_25]

Hey Kenny. It would be cool to see a pic of your mandy.

In my opinion we should be careful with the "our tanks are always smaller than the ocean" rationale. I believe there are many fish species that, when appropriately housed, do not distinguish our tanks from the ocean. Clowns, many gobies, blennies and others are able to stake out naturally sized territories in our tanks. It's true, our tanks are smaller than the ocean but some irresponsible folks use that to make themselves feel better about dubious choices. I also want to say, yes, it is a hobby, but it's a hobby with living animals involved. So it comes with a lot of moral responsibilities that, say, knitting doesn't.

I am not trying to be critical of you. I want to state these things for the record. For others who may read this.

Good luck to you. Cheers.

got a couple for ya!! I didn't forget!