Mandarin, a mini love story.

[Whisperer]

Background: Got a very skinny male mandarin a week ago today. I was apprehensive to add him because my female had battered one in the past (she was young and a b**ch). To my surprise, she was very curious and swam close to him initially and they parted and went on picking on the rocks. Lately she has been eating a lot, or so I thought. She never paid attention to me...ever. Last evening I turned the lights on to enjoy my tank after a long day at work. A few minutes later my female mandarin was hovering in the middle of the tank (she thinks she was a chromis ).

Then she found the male near the overflow and made her move.

The male would not turn her down. No he didn't...

--to be continued

 

[Whisperer]

Each pic is separate event. Each encounter was very brief. They united several times, many times. I missed quite a few engagements.
And then they swam near the surface.

The end :love2:

 

[jdaniels175]

I feel a little dirty watching that.

 

[Sugar Magnolia]

Awesome! I love to see this type of thing!

 

[BucNtears]

Love at first sight

 

[HermitTheCrab]

i feel a little dirty watching that.

me 2!

 

[Leviathan_XE]

That has got to be the fattest mandarin I've ever seen! Does she eat prepared food?

 

[njudson]

This makes me want to pair mine soo badly! I need a bigger tank. Great pictures

 

[kactusficus]

hooooo nice!
And she's so heavy with eggs, she must have kept tons of them in her belly, waiting for her new hubby

it's an adorable scene, thanks a lot for sharing!
I came into the hobby to witness this kind of event, it is a so vibrant hommage to Life!

My splendidus couple made parades every night, spawning every 2 or 3 days, it was an amazing show I never got tired of!

here is a pic, she had a pretty belly as well

Long life to yours, and may they be happy together and spread zillions of eggs (that unfortunately won't end to any young mandarin, but the breeding is soooo difficult!)

cheers,
sabine

 

[sslak]

That's adorable! Thanks so much for sharing!

 

[Whisperer]

I feel a little dirty watching that.

How do you think I felt taking pics of them? :lol:

Thanks everyone. No, she does not eat prepared food.

Not sure I am ready for a family. I hope she is just full (not with eggs) but I think she is preggy, her belly has been getting big. Will keep you posted.

 

[Girly Gears]

She looks really healthy! Do you supplement pods to your tank? I really want a mandy, any tips on feeding?

 

[chimmike]

awesome! there was a breeding thread in the propagation section a while back on mandarins. Be awesome if you could propagate them!

 

[Whisperer]

I boosted my pods using copepods bought from saltwaterfish a couple of times. I have lots of chaetomorpha in my sump.
I am not sure if I will even see her spawn, I get home from work at 6 PM when tank lights are already off.

 

[ReeferBill]

Love at first sight

Love at first sight

Hi Wisperer ; Thank you for the amazing pictures of your beautiful pair of Mandarins , this is what makes this hobby so special.Happy Reefing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Whisperer]

Thanks, I had fun watching...ok, that is a little pervyish.

 

[chimmike]

I boosted my pods using copepods bought from saltwaterfish a couple of times. I have lots of chaetomorpha in my sump.
I am not sure if I will even see her spawn, I get home from work at 6 PM when tank lights are already off.

change your light cycle!

I have my lights running so that they're on for a good few hours after I get home from work. What enjoyment is the tank if the lights are off when you get home for 5 days of the week?

 

[Whisperer]

I enjoy it on weekends. Sometimes I turn the light on when I get home for a couple of hours.