Mandrin with stocklist

[thecichlidpleco]

I am thinking about getting a mandrin in my 40 long. I have about 55 lbs of LR so far and am planning on a little more.
This is my current stocklist(I am still cycling but this is my wanted list):

2 true percula
1 purple firefish
1 flame angel

If I wait about 6 months to establish my tank, and then add the LR, should I have any problems with keeping a mandrin? Is the tank too small, not enough LR, problems with other fish? Also, I have come to the conclusion of getting a mandrin, because I cannot think of any sand sifting gobies that I like, any recommendations?

 

[InvaderJim]

Establishing your tank would require already having the live rock in it. Try and find a Mandarin who will take prepared foods besides just pods...that's ups its chance of survival substantially. Mandarin's don't really sift sand that much. If your looking for a good sand sifter goby you could probably get away with a diamond goby. They are pretty neat to watch too.

 

[Illuminati]

I didn't really know that mandarins are sand sifters.

You know they mainly eat pods, you will need a ton of live rock to keep one unless you can g one at an LFS that eats frozen food (rare but they are out there).

 

[louist]

My mandarin has never shifted any sand, the lawnmover blenny does that a lot more in his mad dashes around the tank.

Even with a mandarin that's on frozen food, there's no way it can compete with those other fish for food during feeding. You will need to keep the mandarin in a rather "gentle" environment since they are non-competitive feeders.

 

[thecichlidpleco]

Correction: I know that mandrins and sandsifting gobies are mainly bottom dwellers. I dont really need a sifter since I have my cleanup crew, but I just didnt want to much on the bottom. Therefore, I either go with 2 bottom dwelling gobies or a mandrin.
Also, I already have live rock in my tank.

 

[TXKev]

I hate to be a downer but you would have an impossible time trying to keep him alive. I have a 90g tank with over a 100lb of live rock. After I had the tank for 6-7 months I bought a mandarin. When I got him, he was nice and fat. He lasted about 5 months and then passed. When he died, he was so skinny. I once again have a manderin and he is doing great. The difference now is that I have a decent size fuge that breeds pods like mad. If you want to keep a mandarin, I would only suggest doing it if you have a fuge.

Good Luck,
Kevin

 

[thecichlidpleco]

So, do an all LR fuge?

 

[TXKev]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8862221#post8862221 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by thecichlidpleco
So, do an all LR fuge?

My fuge has lots of liverock rubble and macro alge. I originally put the fuge in to help with nutrient export, the pods were just and added bonus.

Kevin