Mandarin coral compatability?

[fermentedhiker]

In researching Mandarins for an upcoming build I learned about the risks an anemone poses to them, but I've seen a couple references to corals killing them. I had considered having a LT plate coral as a potential host for clowns instead of an anemone(no guarantee that they would take to it, but it would look good either way) but that was one of the corals I saw referenced as being potentially dangerous for a Mandarin. I was also looking at either a frogspawn/torch/ or grape coral and am wondering what if any risk they might pose? I've been searching for more data but so far haven't really found anything specific. Is there a general list or consensus as to which if any coral groups/families should be avoided in tanks housing Mandarins?

Thanks.

 

[finsurgeon]

I don't think there are any corals that are unsafe for a Mandarin. I have had a green and a spotted both for at least 3 years, and they go throughout my tank, often very close the the 4 8-10 inch bubble-tips, and even hiding under the skirts of the 3 Long-tentacle plates. I also have just about every coral family represented, and I'm either too dense to notice, or blissfully unaware of a problem. If you have enough copepods, you should be okay.

 

[MondoBongo]

i haven't noticed any problems with my mandy and any of my corals.

i have a hammer, frowgspawn, and torch that don't seem to bother her. my only concern is my scoly, but so far she doesn't seem to have any problems with that at all. other than those i have various other LPS with powerful stings, platygyria and chalices, and an assortment of SPS. no issues to report to date.

 

[fermentedhiker]

thanks for the replies. It had seemed odd to me that corals would have a strong enough sting to endanger a fish at least so much so that the fish couldn't survive initial contact and learn to avoid it from then on. I only saw it mentioned a couple of times but they specifically mentioned LT plates and open brains I think so it got me worrying about the idea.

 

[snorvich]

First, if a plate coral hosts clownfish, the odds of damage to the coral are high. Mandarins are safe from corals but not anemones, especially carpets.

 

[MondoBongo]

thanks for the replies. It had seemed odd to me that corals would have a strong enough sting to endanger a fish at least so much so that the fish couldn't survive initial contact and learn to avoid it from then on. I only saw it mentioned a couple of times but they specifically mentioned LT plates and open brains I think so it got me worrying about the idea.

i've heard the same about things like welsos, trachyphyllia, etc...

i think it very much also depends on the fish though. out of all the fish in my tank, none seem too bothered by any of my corals. i've watched my yellow tang specifically brush against all my euphyllia as he zips around and it doesn't seem to bother him a bit.

 

[davocean]

Over the years I've had a few single mandarins fairly long term, I had a pair in my 180g for about 5 years before I downsized and sold them w/ the tank, and my present pair I've had 4 years now.
I have always had sea anemone's, BTA, Malu, Crispa, Doreensis, and presently a Hadonni, and I have never experienced a mandarin loss to either.
They do come close, but from my exp they just seem to know not to touch it.
But if you are looking for an alternative to a nem, frogspawn and hammer have worked great for me, and I haven't seen anything harmful to the coral or the clowns in keeping those together, and you know they are never going to move.
Not advocating anything, just stating my own experience for whatever it's worth.

 

[fermentedhiker]

Over the years I've had a few single mandarins fairly long term, I had a pair in my 180g for about 5 years before I downsized and sold them w/ the tank, and my present pair I've had 4 years now.
I have always had sea anemone's, BTA, Malu, Crispa, Doreensis, and presently a Hadonni, and I have never experienced a mandarin loss to either.
They do come close, but from my exp they just seem to know not to touch it.
But if you are looking for an alternative to a nem, frogspawn and hammer have worked great for me, and I haven't seen anything harmful to the coral or the clowns in keeping those together, and you know they are never going to move.
Not advocating anything, just stating my own experience for whatever it's worth.

Thanks for the reply I appreciate hearing everyone's experiences.

I am hoping to keep a nem eventually once the system is mature. At least a couple of rock flowers. Initially I was going to have a couple rock flower, a couple mini carpets and either a Malu or BTA(for a pair of clowns). I was cautioned by someone about mini carpets being problematic potential fish eaters(and mandarins being especially vulnerable) so I was going to leave them out entirely or keep one in the fuge with some sexy shrimp. But I'm digressing; as I was doing more research on mandarin care I ran across a couple threads about some corals posing a risk, and I didn't want to go to the trouble of tracking down a mated mandarin pair just to have them eaten by something I put in the tank

The plan is for a 93 gallon cube mixed reef. So far the corals I'm interested in keeping are two or three zoas/palys on little rock islands, a ric collection, green toadstool, lavender Rhod, LT plate, ORA bird of paradise, electric green acro, christmas favia, maybe an acan, as well as a frogspawn torch or grape. Maybe some dendros or sun corals later in the overhangs when I get more experience. I'm only half way through remodeling my kitchen which this will end up being the center piece of, so I've got time to change my mind........OFTEN

 

[davocean]

I honestly think many of those deaths of mandarin's could have been just a sick, malnourished mandarin and the nems/corals or whatever got the rap.
I've seen an overwhelming amount of people insisting eating prep'd foods will sustain them in tanks that really do not acommodate their diet of pods.
It can take a while for a mandarin to starve out, and this fools many into thinking they are achieving success.
And of course very few want to come on and admit being wrong.

 

[fermentedhiker]

I honestly think many of those deaths of mandarin's could have been just a sick, malnourished mandarin and the nems/corals or whatever got the rap.
I've seen an overwhelming amount of people insisting eating prep'd foods will sustain them in tanks that really do not acommodate their diet of pods.
It can take a while for a mandarin to starve out, and this fools many into thinking they are achieving success.
And of course very few want to come on and admit being wrong.

I'm sure there is some truth in that

 

[snorvich]

I'm sure there is some truth in that

Actually, there is a LOT of truth in that. The guideline for one is 75 gallons with no copepod competitors and 150 gallons for two with no copepod competitors. Many mandarins are captured with cyanide and those simply look great but never eat at all.

 

[CoralReeForrest]

On this subject, would a maxi mini carpet nem pose a threat to a Mandy? Or is it mostly the large carpets?