<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14155147#post14155147 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sitarangi
I remember reading somewhere is they'll go after the very tiny ones...
They do not. I wish they did -- they'd be easier to keep.
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14155147#post14155147 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sitarangi
If im wrong, then I don't know what my mandarin is snacking on to keep him so plump.
It is good that he is not skinny. He is probably eating pods and the prepared foods you feed him.
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14155147#post14155147 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sitarangi
I have about 50-60 pounds of FLR and TLR in my tank as well as lots and lots of amphlipods. Also I have no other predators of pods in my tanks, no wrasses and the such.
That is a good start, but that is way too little LR to sustain him long term without any other measures.
When we talk about long-term success with Mandarins, we're talking years. You are doing good so far (although the tank is too small), but you will probably need to actively start supplementing pods.
As you noted above, you have had him since July. But these fish can live years, and they typically starve to death over a period of months in captivity. When people say they have success with a Mandarin, they usually talk about having one last 2 years, as it also usually takes them several months to deplete a pod population. So not to be a downer, but keeping one for 6 months is not considered a success (or a failure).
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14155147#post14155147 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sitarangi
Jedhuer, Just watch your dragonet and take pictures of him and observe his weight. If you notice him getting skinnier id get rid of him ASAP. Watch him, he should be nipping something every 10-20 seconds in the rocks.
Strangely, I do not recommend this practice. By the time you can observe emaciation, a lot of damage is done, and it is an uphill battle to correct.
In your case, I would suggest adding an active refugium of decent size and dosing with cultured pods. The refugium will also help with your high bioload.
Matt