Mandarin dragonet help

[Fish lover456]

I have a 25 gallon tank with 35 pounds of rock, two clownfish, and a lawnmower blenny. For my last fish I wanted to get a mandarin dragonet I have introduced copepods and amipods into my system, but it seems like some of them have died off. My tank has been running for six months and I was just wondering if it would be worth it to buy a captive breed dragonet instead of a regular one?

 

[Apotack]

Check out the paulb baby brine shrimp feeder, simple and will keep a mandarin fat and happy.

 

[MondoBongo]

i would advise against that.

even if, and it's a big if, the dragonet is taking prepared food, they tend to graze all day. their digestive systems work best with small amounts spaced out all day long, not the one or two discreet feedings most keepers usually do.

i wouldn't try a mandy in anything less than about 50 gallons, with a sump and fuge.

a 25g is just not a good home for any dragonet.

 

[sfdan]

That size of a tank will never be able to naturally support a dragonet. If you are willing to commit to feeding baby brine shrimp and other good live food sources multiple times a week you can certainly keep one alive, but it just isn't going to be optimal for the fish. Captive bred is helpful in that they'll eat frozen food, but a dragonet can't get all their nutrition from frozen food fed once or twice a day.

 

[Boochika]

I also think a blenny will compete for the same food source at times even though it's primarily an herbivore

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