mandarin in 37 cube????

[TKByrnes]

I know everyone says they need a big tank but my 37 cube is over run with pods. they look like ants at night. they even come out when the day lights are on. the only thing in the tank is 2 oc clowns, and my coral. I want to get a red scooter also will that cause an issue? should i choose one or the other? If noone thinks a mandarin is a good idea then I wont do it. the last thing i want to do is put a fish in somewhere that he wont be happy or even die.

 

[sir_dudeguy]

they dont really need a larger tank so to speak...they need more pods, which usually means you need more rock, which usually means......a bigger tank! go figure lol

But no, if you're tank really has a ton of pods and its reallly established, and you've got a fuge, i see no problem with keeping one in a 37. I would NOT however, keep it with the scooter. 2 fish that eat pods in the same tank = not good. However, you can sometimes get the manderins to eat other foods...like mysis i hear, and stuff like brine.

 

[alde]

If you can really keep the pod population up you might be ok with one or the other. You would be amazed at how much a little Mandarin can eat. It's an effort to keep one going in my 120 with lots of LR. I feed the pods at least 3 times a week to keep the population stable.

 

[TKByrnes]

Thanks for the quick reply sir_dudeguy. well right now i dont have a fuge. I did have one on my 75 and I just downsized. so all the rock came from the 75. There is about 60-70 lbs of lr in a 37 cube. slope aquascape so it doesnt look like that much. maybe ill just go with the scooter. Unless i can find a mandarin that eats other foods. my main question was will he be ok in a smaller tank. and you answered that for me. any other opinions?

 

[sir_dudeguy]

ya alde had a GREAT point about needing to keep the pod pop. up. Just because you've got tons now doesnt mean that you will have tons in about a month after getting a manderin, and prolly the scooter for that matter. If you can fit a fuge in your system, get as big of one as you can. Then decide from how that turns out if you'd be able to keep a manderin...or rather keep the pod pop. up.

But you also have a great idea...try to find one thats already taking other foods. But im sure you'll find that difficult lol. Ask in your local board and see if anyones got one there. If you DO find one tho...it may go for quite a bit...i know they're only 15 bucks at the lfs here...but i'd bet he'd be more if it was easier to feed.

 

[TKByrnes]

cool thanks.

 

[Sk8r]

The cost for keeping a mandarin on imported pods is about 700.00 a year.

 

[dc]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8088003#post8088003 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sk8r
The cost for keeping a mandarin on imported pods is about 700.00 a year.

LOL, you really have to want one!



Try to find one at the store that you see eating prepared food. It seems like people are having more and more success with them. Check out the diner
mandarin Diner

 

[REV]

I have seen a mandarin eat prepared food before. IT'S NOT FAIR! Anyway, I digress... I wouldn't recommend one without a fuge. I have one in my 75 (20L) fuge and like ALDE said above, I feed my pods regularly to try to keep up. It's almost stressful! I DON'T want to lose him! My tank, approx. 80 lbs LR, fuge w/chaeto & DSB & birdsnest skel., was FULL of pods, until I got my mandarin. Now I sit there 2 or 3 nights a week with a flashlight just looking for ONE! When/IF I find one I breath a sigh of relief! Good luck whatever you do!

 

[TKByrnes]

ok well im not going to spend 700 a year just to keep a $15 fish. dont get me wrong i really like them but thats just not worth it. Ill just try a blenny or something. thanks for the help all!!!

 

[raynist]

I have one in my 180 tank. There are a ton of pods in my 75g sump, but I never see any in the 180.

My mandarin will eat any pellet food that falls on the rocks or sandbed though.

 

[alde]

Another thing that sometimes works is Sea Urchin eggs. You can find them frozen at an Oriental food store. Just make sure they are not salted or anything. They must be fresh frozen. For some reason SOME Madarins love them.