Mandarin Fish

[Raphael]

Hello, I am lookig for some information on Mandarins such as the tank size they need, foods they eat, reef safe...Could anyone please let me know?

 

[Angel*Fish]

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-02/nftt/index.php

http://www.reefcentral.com/modules.php?s=&name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=3

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=894654&highlight=mandarin

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=855920&highlight=mandarin

http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2005-02/nftt/index.php

 

[falconut]

I have had a small one (about 1-1/2" - 2") for over a year and he is fat and happy. I never see him eat anything I put in. He is constantly picking off the rocks. I have a 90 gal. tank w/20 gal. refuge and 20 gal. sump. I have around 120 lbs. of LR.

I had a large one (3"+) that would eat out of a turkey baster. He only lasted two months.

I'm not completely sure of the exact size requirements. My LFS always says they need a minimum of 75 lbs. of LR. I built my setup with the intent on keeping one. I had the tank running for 9 months prior to getting him. I had loads of copods and anthipods living in my refuge and purchased some live mysis, which now breed in my refuge.

Plus, you must not have anything else that is a pod eater. Like a 6-line. I you do want one, make sure your tank is mature enough and you have a good refuge. JME

 

[Angel*Fish]

80 gallon FOWLR

Assuming he'd be going in this tank - what other fish do have in there?

 

[Raphael]

2 False Percs, Royal Gramma and Cleaner Shrimp.

 

[Angel*Fish]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8184886#post8184886 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Raphael
2 False Percs, Royal Gramma and Cleaner Shrimp.

Oh these would be no problem at all

 

[Raphael]

Would breeding Brine Shrimp be good enough for its diet (considering it has the lve rock aswell). Also, are they sand sifters?

 

[Angel*Fish]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8185156#post8185156 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Raphael
Would breeding Brine Shrimp be good enough for its diet (considering it has the lve rock aswell). Also, are they sand sifters?

Brine shrimp are not adequate as anything but a supplement in order to keep them from starving to death - Keep reading those threads! And let me know if you need more...
And no they are not sand sifters - they methodically swim around the tank slowly and carefully hunting for pods all day - when they see one -- they eye it for a minute, take aim and then pick it off the rock

 

[Raphael]

I have marine flake food (new era) is that godd enogh on top of the brine shrimp and LR.

 

[Raphael]

*bump*

 

[Fishfirst]

Raphael, please refer to the posts, they eat little things (amphipods and copepods) off of liverock, usually not flake foods.

 

[alebrun]

I'v had mine for about 2 and a half years. He eats everything including spectrum pellets . I also have a very mature refugium.

 

[salt newbie01]

Most of them will not eat anything but live copepods or amphipods. Some will eat other foods but plan on it only to eat pods. Then if it does eat something else your fine. If it goes the other way you will just have a beautiful fish that will slowly starve to death. Read the articles ref above

 

[Raphael]

I do have copepods in the tank but maybe I'll leave this fish for a bit later. I'll get what I originally wanted...a Diamond Goby.