Mandarin

[cornerjag]

I picked myself up a pair of Green Mandarins and have had them about 2 weeks now. I have been feeding a mix of Cyclopeeze, Mysis and Brine. I have scene them both eat the frozen Brine and some Cyclopeeze. I have only two concerns. Firstly I think I may have made a mistake in ID and though they were a male/female pair when now I am leaning towards two males. I have two questions, what has anyone found to be a good healthy frozen food for these beautiful fish? If I'm not mistaken I believe I heard someone say before to stay more towards Mysis then Brine but for me whatever they eat frozen is fine with me. Secondly can someone give some helpful pointers to get a better ID?

They don't necessarily fight but I have noticed some aggressive behavior from the "bigger" Mandarin and will take one out if not a male/female pair.

 

[mpfeiffer1]

Males haved the long dorsal fin, females do not. Probably one of the easier fish to sex. If you do not see the long dorsal fin - you got two females.

If you get them to eat frozen you are doing better than most. I studied hard but have never pulled trigger as i like wrasses as well and they would compete for the Copepods in the tank. YOu may try to get a bottle of rotifiers and some extra pods to assure they are eating enough. GL...

 

[MondoBongo]

my mandy loves Nutramar Ova on the frozen side. eats it enthusiastically.

i also hatch her brine shrimp nauplii daily to help supplement her, and culture pods. everyone else loves the nauplii too, but especially her.

 

[baxinabox]

+1 on Nutramar Ova

also try some bloodworms and brine. my gf used an empty glass salt shaker and put the food in there. placed it into the tank, she trained her mandarin that way to eat ova, blood worms and brine.