Mandarins...

[TartanInMinn]

Mods, if this is in the wrong forum, please move and I apologize.

What can anyone tell me about stocking Mandarins in a 75 gallon. I can't use the search function to look for myself, I always get a busy server message.
Thanks...

 

[Witchdoctor_h]

How old is the tank and how much LR do you have?

 

[Blown 346]

The one problem already is MANDARINS in a 75 gallon. I would only reccomend one manadrin in a 75 gallon but it has to be atleast a year old, havealor of rock, and a fuge.

The only way you can have mandarins is if you have a big tank,( 220 and up and have a big fuge.

 

[Witchdoctor_h]

I agree with Blown. ManadarinS, plural, is not good. They'll probably starve to death. One may be ok IF you have plenty of rock.

 

[TartanInMinn]

The marine tank isn't set up yet(I keep freshwater tanks) as I'm still reading threads and reviews to decide what equipment I'll buy, I haven't even begun looking at at livestock yet. I just saw a picture of a Mandarin and thought they looked incredible and wanted to know more. I appreciate the answers though..., sigh.

 

[Witchdoctor_h]

No prob.
If you are interested in a Mandarin, read this:
http://www.reefcentral.com/modules.php?s=&name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=3

 

[usmcsgt]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6963851#post6963851 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Blown 346
The one problem already is MANDARINS in a 75 gallon. I would only reccomend one manadrin in a 75 gallon but it has to be atleast a year old, havealor of rock, and a fuge.

The only way you can have mandarins is if you have a big tank,( 220 and up and have a big fuge.

I disagree with this I have seen and also read about many people being able to have a pair of Mandarins in 75 and 90 gal tanks because they have enough Live Rock and a fuge. So if you have enough Live rock and a fuge Two in a 75 would be just fine.

 

[sarduci]

Another thought:

Mandarins can be taught to eat packaged food. Search for the term "mandarin dinner". Who says that you need live rock? Just like you "need" a skimmer? Nope, there are plenty of tanks out there without one.

There are many solutions to any given issue. There is more than one way to keep a fish.

A good way to search the site when the RC function is down is to go to Google.com and type this line in:

site:reefcentral.com mandarin dinner

The "site:" parameter allows you to only search one web site. (well, the google index of that site, not really the site...)

Site:wetwebmedia.com
Site:nano-reef.com
etc....

 

[usmcsgt]

Very well put Sarduci, there's always more than one way to skin a cat.

 

[Sk8r]

do you have copepods on the tank glass? If they're numerous, the likelihood of supporting mandarins is much improved. Mandarins can learn to eat other things, but copepods are it for the start.

 

[sps_addict]

Shouldn't be a problem. I have 2 mandarin's in my 65 and have had them for 2 years. Make sure you have lot's of pods and mysis.

 

[Teremei]

Mandarin's can't catch mysis for ****. Or atleast mine can't. I have them by the 100's in my fugeless 55 and they never die down in population. It leads me to beleive they are too fast for the fish to catch.

But who knows, maybe the mandarin is catching some of them. I haven't been feeding him and he's not getting any skinnier.