Mixing Mandarin Dragonets…

[mandarin417]

I have read that you should never put two male mandarin dragonets in the same tank since they will fight. I just read on a vendor's site that you should never put two mandarins of the same sex in a tank "“ male or female.

I have seen holding tanks at the LFS with several mandarins together and did not observe any aggressive behavior. If there is a problem with more than one male in a system, does that also include males of different types. For example, will a male Green Mandarin Dragonet fight with a male Spotted Mandarin?

 

[ThRoewer]

I once tried to add a second female to my mandarin pair, but the established female didn't find it to be a good idea at all. I've never seen such a viciuos mandarin.

I would also be extremely careful with mixing dragonet species, especially if they look very similar.
S. picturatus and S. splendidus are not very likely to get along well unless you have a huge tank where each can stake out a large enough territory.

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

 

[CrayolaViolence]

I've seem male dragonets of different types almost fight to the death at the LRS. So no, I would not risk it.

 

[davocean]

Males don't mix, but I've seen successful harems of females given to a male in other tanks

Keep in mind what you see at LFS is only temporary, often I see groups put together that really would not work long term.

 

[fearyaks]

I had a male green who was the mellowest dude. He was about three inches long. Added a female spotted. She proceeded to kick the crap out of him. She was tiny too.. like half his size.

I'd be very weary.

 

[Shaddow_wolf169]

I have 2 males in my tank they will chase but not fight I give them turns in the refuge to fatten up.

 

[Half Vaped]

I have a male Mandarin in my 40 Breeder going about 2.5 years now. He's fat and is trained on frozen--he'll even slurp up a couple whole PE mysis shrimps in one feeding--it took maybe 1.5 years before he got to that point, though.

Would I have any issues if I add a male Ruby Red Dragonet? I'm not sure how risky that would be in a 40 Breeder. I have a HOB fuge and maybe 60 pounds of rocks. And I'll be adding pods until the new one get used to frozen.

What are my chances?

 

[MondoBongo]

i tried to add a female scooter to my 160 gallon with my existing female mandarin.

she killed the scooter within a week