Mandarin Primer
- Thread starter BrianD
- Start date
celamb89
New member
A quick google and I found this, never bought from them but maybe someone has a reliable source...
Changing subject,
I had a 42gal display tank with a 6 line wrasse which picked on a mandarin that I once added but returned to the LFS.
Last saturday I upgraded to a 130gal DT and wanted to know if I can try to add the mandarin again? The 6 line wrasse is now in the 130gal with an ocellaris and 2 LTA.
I know theres always a risk in adding new fish but is there a chance that the mandarin will be ok or is it a death sentence?
Thanks! Hope to hear soon since I believe the sooner the better territory wise I guess
euromomtx
New member
The key to keeping mandarins alive an thriving in your system is to teach them to accept frozen foods before introducing them to your display tank.
Unless of course you can afford $20 worth of copepods every two days.
It's not that hard to get them to accept frozen. Links and info have been provided in this thread several times.
If you got a pet cat your approach would be to buy her cat food -not find a good source for live mice... same with the fish.
They live a long time. That constantly supplying/buying copepods is going to get old in a year or so. Feeding frozen seems like a much more sustainable approach.
Unless of course you can afford $20 worth of copepods every two days.
It's not that hard to get them to accept frozen. Links and info have been provided in this thread several times.
If you got a pet cat your approach would be to buy her cat food -not find a good source for live mice... same with the fish.
They live a long time. That constantly supplying/buying copepods is going to get old in a year or so. Feeding frozen seems like a much more sustainable approach.
webdizzy
New member
Ended up finding some locally.
celamb89
New member
I just realized I never posted the link hehe...
http://www.livecopepods.com/ Here it is anyway.
http://www.livecopepods.com/ Here it is anyway.
Sounds great! I think you can also find some on ebay but local is just easier I believe.
sfboarders
New member
I just got my mandarin today from Bluezoo and boy is this thing pretty! I have a 100 gallon with 90lbs LR. I have LOTS of munnid isopods it's freaking disgusting. Every rock/frag plug I pick up has hundreds of them. They're also all over my back wall. I hope they keep the mandarins bully full. 
Wish me luck.
Wish me luck. LKGRenegade22
New member
Who said you have to supplement pods or get them to eat frozen to keep weight on them? Sure it would be nice if they did eat frozen but mine don't. I have had one for well over a year and he has double in size in my tank. I even added a 2nd one about a month back and both are very happy. They live with 2 scooter blennies also and they are all doing very well.
My tank is a pod factory. My overflows and the sump have so many I could probably bottle them up and sell them too.
My tank is a pod factory. My overflows and the sump have so many I could probably bottle them up and sell them too.
Inklinkerman
Member
Ive just got back from holiday, stuck for a week due to the ash cloud! Mandarin is looking thin, added more pods from the culture(50+), he wont eat frozen, how can i get him back to weight? He was very fat before. How many pods do these guys get through in a day?
Inklinkerman
Member
mine won't eat frozen, as far as I know. But you can get around the costs of adding live Copepods by culturing them yourself, following online instructions and you have a cheap renewable food source. Surely it has to be better for the fish as well.
NaClCrocodile
New member
Any word on when ORA will be releasing their CB Mandarins? I've always wanted one but I just don't want to buy into the hope that I've got enough pods when I know I don't.
Inklinkerman
Member
No but its very exciting. I hope they will sell paired couples. Wonder if they will be sharing their methods....well one can hope!
According to my LFS, the first batch of ORA mandarins are currently about 1.25" long and ORA's waiting until they're at least 1.5" before they make them available. So, hopefully in the next few months...
NaClCrocodile
New member
It is indeed very exciting! I've been in love with this fish since I started reefing.
That'd be awesome! I can only hope ORA won't be charging an arm and a leg like the new clowns.
Inklinkerman
Member
I expect they will be very expensive, but you are buying their work over thelast few years as well as the fish; and if the fish thrives then it's worth it. And help wild stocks.
Has anyone been lucky enough to see mandarins on a dive or snorkel? Where was it etc?
sfboarders
New member
My LFS said they'll be receiving them in July. As for the cost expect it to be more $$$
Inklinkerman
Member
Can you support 2 in the tank? How's your pods?
JTL
New member
I think I have a pretty good pod population going. I can see plenty of them in the DT and the fuge is where I occasionally add some new ones, but with all the Cheato they are not all that obvious. I will probably wait another month or so anyway since there is no rush. I think my male is gaining weight, he picks at the rocks constantly.
mobert
Active member
I have a cute video of my pair doing their dance:
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