My New Spotted Mandarin

[snommisbor]

Thought I would get myself something for the old B-day and found this at the LFS. Had bought a Green one a few months ago and he died a day later. Think it had some cyanide problems. So after 3 hours of acclimation here he is. He seems much more active, eating from the moment I put him in. Finally feel I am ready for one of these or better yet my tank is.

 

[snorvich]

Nice fish and the middle picture is really cool. And HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

 

[Antiloser24]

Beautiful mandarin :]

 

[BrianD]

Fine pictures! Good luck with your mandarin. If you have a healthy one and your tank provides plenty of pods, there isn't a more maintenance-free fish around.

Let us know how he is doing in a few months. For some reason, I have seen fewer and fewer "happy" stories with mandarins in the last few years, even for those with perfectly equipped tanks.

 

[snorvich]

I think that many people with normally acceptable tanks inadvertently introduce copepod eaters into the tank so the population diminishes too quickly. That is why I try hard to discourage people whose tanks are only marginal for these fish. True success with these fish is one year. They can live for months and slowly diminish.

 

[snommisbor]

Well hopefully I should be good. Tank is about 18 months old. Have a 30 sump/fuge with about 100# live rock both in DT and Sump and have never had a fish that readily eats pods. What you think .

 

[EllieSuz]

I think you have all the basics for a healthy Mandarin; large mature tank and plenty of rock. Good luck. I envy you.

 

[majawestphal]

Nice mandarin. good luck with him.

 

[block head]

great fish ,happy bday

 

[650-IS350]

I don't have much pods in my tank, but I've taught mine to eat, cyclopeeze granuals, soft sinking krill pellets and other sinking pellets. Mine was scrawny with a sunken in stomach when I first got it in.She was housed with 12 wrasses and other pod eating fish. Now this is how she looks like...

BWT- these are easier to teach to eat prepared food than the green mandarins. From what I've read, heard and personal experience.

 

[snorvich]

Ugh, you might introduce that fish to Jenny Craig.

 

[650-IS350]

Nah, keeping this baby obese. Had her on a diet for a while, but going fatty again.