Pairing up target mandarin

[jian0707]

Hi, I have a male target mandarin and he's been living in my 75G for 8 months now, fat and happy.

I'm thinking about getting a female, and wondering what are the chances they'll pair up, and if there's anything I should know about pairing up this fish. I see a lot of articles and discussions about pairing clowns but haven't found any for mandarin fish.

Thanks,

 

[Packersfan21]

i could be wrong, but it looks like you already have a female because of the shorter dorsal fin.

 

[FishboyBT]

unless she was recently in a fight yes she looks female

 

[jian0707]

I thought the female don't have the dorsal spine. Am I right?

 

[Packersfan21]

No, females have a short dorsal fin and males have a longer one.

 

[snorvich]

In any case, you likely don't have enough copepods for two mandarins. If you guess wrong about sex, they will fight to the death. However, it looks like a male to me.

 

[iceemn360]

That is definitely a male. The target mandarin males have shorter dorsal spines than the green mandarins. The females have no prominent initial dorsal ray and run much to the same appearance as the female green mandarins. Its pretty easy to pair. I have a pair that breed on a regular basis. I had the female for a year and a half and introduced the male later. As long as you dont have two females or two males you will be good.

 

[iceemn360]

though a 75 gallon is a bit small for 2

 

[snorvich]

A 75 is too small for two but he has a 55 gallon

 

[jian0707]

I recently upgraded my 55G to a 75G a few months ago. It has over 100lbs of live rock in it, and has a fuge as well.

Thanks for all the replies, I'll be cautious about adding another one in.

 

[snorvich]

Well a 75 with a refugium is borderline but might work for two IF there are no other competitors for copepods. Females, by the way, are more difficult to find.

 

[MatesonG]

Hey I'm actually on the same quest. How have you been doing with yours? did you find a female?

 

[Masterofnonsense]

I've had a pair of spotteds for over a year now, and they are for sure a fun pair of fish. The one pictured is absolutely a male. Male spotteds have a shorter first dorsal spike as compared to the green mandarins. Chances are good that you can pair them, just make sure the female is smaller than the male when you get her. The problem is small spotteds can be an absolute nightmare to determine the sex on. Best of luck.