Planning for Mandarin

[Ryand63]

So I have a 29 gallon fowlr with 30 lbs LR. I'm going to wait another year since I just set up the tank but I really wanna know and fully understand and be able to start growing pods before I get him since I have a smaller tank. Easiest ways without a fuge??

 

[Nemo Girl]

The tank is too small for a mandarin, especially without a fuge. The fish would starve and that would be so tragic considering how beautiful they are. I just love those pretty little fish

 

[MARINECRITTERS]

You should have steady supply within 6 - 24 months.... every system is different.
You could keep replenishing your supply by adding live pods. Getting a bit more of live rock from an established tank will help as well.
My mandarin has recently started eating frozen brine shrimp, muscle, plankton and krill.

You can also raise your own pods in a seperate tank/bottle.

 

[username in use]

Bottom line is the only way to do it in that tank is to train it onto prepared and feed it really well. You can't sustain a suitable pod population in that tank.

 

[Maaka]

I asked this question a few days ago and this was the responses i got.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2158956

 

[MARINECRITTERS]

The tank is too small for a mandarin, especially without a fuge. The fish would starve and that would be so tragic considering how beautiful they are. I just love those pretty little fish

..... You can have a mandarin in a 30.... what are you talking about, all you need is a steady supply of pods.

My rule is 10 gallons per 1" of fish.
BUT i do agree, no refugium is pushing it

 

[Maaka]

I've read that if you create a rock pile that the mandarin cannot get in and put some food in there every week that the pods will grow in there and can only be eaten when they come out. This won't supply all it needs but it could help.

 

[username in use]

My rule is 10 gallons per 1" of fish.
BUT i do agree, no refugium is pushing it

That rule does not take into account the individual species requirements.

 

[EllieSuz]

In a tank that size, in order for you to feed enough to sustain the Mandarin, you would have to feed it numerous times a day. That's assuming you get one that will eat frozen foods. Not all of them do. So, with other fish in the tank competing for whatever frozen foods you put in there, getting the Mandarin sufficient nutrition will seriously overfeed your tank. Overfeeding causes high nitrates and phosphates resulting in cyano and hair algae. It's a no win situation, I'm afraid. Why don't you wait until you're ready for a bigger Display?

 

[Typo R]

You will be surprised how fast a mandarin can consume all the pods in a tank that size.

 

[username in use]

Overfeeding causes high nitrates and phosphates resulting in cyano and hair algae.

That statement is incomplete. Feeding large amounts without taking the proper steps to control the nutrients will result in cyano and phosphates.

I have a 40g with a 30g sump and put about 6 cubes of various foods as well as phyto, oyster feast, fish eggs, nutrimar ova and rod's reef food every single day. I don't have cyano or phosphates.

 

[sponger0]

That tank is too small. You need a 75 gallon tank....or you would need to culture pods in a serpate 20 gallon tank and transfer them every day or dose the tank with pods every couple of days.

What people dont realize when they see a mandarin is "They eat all day long"

You wont be able to maintain the pod population in a 29 gallon tank. Not gonna happen.

And then the whole feed them prepared foods. Once again, feeding 3-8 times a day doesnt seem likely. They eat all day long. Find someone who has a mandarin in a well establish system. Watch the fish for 30 minutes. Watch what they are doing. They are hunting for food at all times.

Look for another fish or setup a 75 gallon tank with a sump/fuge and lets the pod population build for 8+ months.

 

[username in use]

They are breeding Mandarins on 29g biocubes, BREEDING!!!!!! It is possible. It takes a lot of work. But it is possible. I really wish people would stop saying its impossible and instead express what steps need to be taken to actually make it possible.

 

[sponger0]

They are breeding Mandarins on 29g biocubes, BREEDING!!!!!! It is possible. It takes a lot of work. But it is possible. I really wish people would stop saying its impossible and instead express what steps need to be taken to actually make it possible.

Being able to provide the attention needed with feeding requirements is unlikely for most of the population. Unless your gonna sit there in front of the tank and feed them every hour, I dont see it feasible. But did they report their survival rate?

 

[username in use]

Being able to provide the attention needed with feeding requirements is unlikely for most of the population. Unless your gonna sit there in front of the tank and feed them every hour, I dont see it feasible. But did they report their survival rate?

They are being raised and sold. Matt Pedersen is the person that pioneered the breeding of them in a 28g biocube, and raised the fry, he then shared his knowledge with ORA and they are breeding, raising and selling them. That's successful.


My point is, if you simply say to the guy it can't be done, he may go out and try it anyway and fail. If you say to him, this is what needs to be done to succeed, he may go out and try anyway, buuuuttttt, he will at least know what he is getting into, and he may approach it properly and actually succeed.

We have no idea of the personal life of this individual, he may be willing to spend the time to do it.

 

[username in use]

Here's a good read by Mather Wittenrich, and he references and explains Matt Pedersens technique.

http://en.microcosmaquariumexplorer.com/wiki/Breeding_the_Green_Mandarin

 

[sponger0]

They are being raised and sold. Matt Pedersen is the person that pioneered the breeding of them in a 28g biocube, and raised the fry, he then shared his knowledge with ORA and they are breeding, raising and selling them. That's successful.


My point is, if you simply say to the guy it can't be done, he may go out and try it anyway and fail. If you say to him, this is what needs to be done to succeed, he may go out and try anyway, buuuuttttt, he will at least know what he is getting into, and he may approach it properly and actually succeed.

We have no idea of the personal life of this individual, he may be willing to spend the time to do it.

Your absoultely right. If I didnt have to work and had someone else pay all my bills, yes I could keep a mandarin in a 10 gallon tank.

 

[DeepSeaBeauti]

They Are great looking fish. I hardly see mine in my 125g cause he is constantly hunting for food. Its amazing to watch. IMO they eat, Alot! But i don't see why it would not be possible to keep him there. The most economical way would be to grow your own pods, but if you go through the trouble of setting up a tank for that you might as well set up a sump/refrigum. It will benefit the tank either way you go. Just my 2 cents.

 

[snorvich]

They are being raised and sold. Matt Pedersen is the person that pioneered the breeding of them in a 28g biocube, and raised the fry, he then shared his knowledge with ORA and they are breeding, raising and selling them. That's successful.

Actually the success rate of ORA mandarins is spotty and results have not lived up to expectations. Do a search and you will find both successes and failures. I cannot really say that they are successful given the current track record.

 

[username in use]

I didn't say that they were successful in the tanks that they went into. I said that the captive breeding and raising of the fish was successful, which shows that it is possible to successfully keep these fish healthy and in breeding condition in a smaller tank. They still have the same requirements that wild caught ones have, and people overlook that fact which is why we are seeing such mixed results.