Time for a Mandarin

[pmcg]

Yesterday I had to get rid of some Chaeto from my fuge (anyone in NNJ want some free Chaeto?) and I must of pulled 15 copepods out of a softball size. If I look in the sump it appears to have fleas. My tank is an established 90 with a 20 g sump. I know Mandarin eat a lot of copepods so how do i know when I have a good enough population? Will that many really get sucked up through my return (mag 9) or will i need to shake the chaeto out in my display? Thanks for the help.
Pat

 

[JEFFR259]

The typical rules of thumb for keeping a Mandarin are:

1. Mature Tank (1+ years old)
2. Very Stable conditions/parameters
3. Pod Population.

You can shake out chaeto into the DT to feed, sure. If you meet criteria 1 and 2, and you're seeing alot of pods in the fuge, you're probably ready. Be sure to do alot of research around here prior to purchase and then give it a go!

 

[Anemone0524]

good question on #3.

Pretty sure i've not seen a definitive answer for it, the question being, will a return pump destroy the pod population upon return to the DT enough to the point where a Mandarin would not be able to survive?

 

[ser_renely]

I asked that, and believe the answer was most make it through?

be careful with mandarins, so beautiful and so many people kill them because they want them so bad and get them too early.

 

[Henryreef]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14709236#post14709236 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ser_renely
so beautiful and so many people kill them because they want them so bad and get them too early.

yeah this aspect really breaks my heart. I will see an LFS with one of two madarins in a 30 gallon tank with a few pieces of live rock. I know there fate is doom.

 

[pmcg]

Thanks for the advice. I think I'm going to wait a little longer. My tank has been up for three months but it was all established rock that never left the water. So it was more like a tank move than a new tank set up. Either way I will heir on the side of caution.

 

[knorsk]

i think you can buy copepods from liveaquaria to replenish the population. Just in case the fish started looking thin.

 

[knorsk]

i think you can buy copepods from liveaquaria to replenish the population. Just in case the fish started looking thin.

 

[mat167]

IMHO I'd suggest a red scooter blenny instead. They are much easier to keep and take frozen food much more readily. I know the colours don't compare, but if you're in doubt I think you'd be better off with a RSB.