Mandarin

Discussion in 'Tropical Fish' started by xfactor6, Oct 31, 2008.

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  1. xfactor6

    xfactor6 Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

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    ok, how about a pigmy algel fish? heard they will eat coral?
     
    xfactor6, Oct 31, 2008
    xfactor6, Oct 31, 2008
    #11

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  2. gazog

    gazog Kole Tang

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    While I agree with most everything said above I do disagree that they don't do well with out PODS.

    In my 50g seahorse tank, I have a Female Spotted Mandarin and a Scooter Blenny that both eat PE Mysis shrimp. The Mandarin was a gift form a friend that had her for at least a year. She kept it with seahorses as I do and it took to eating the mysis. I really don't think I have ever seen her going after the pods in the tank.

    The Scooter was eating pods but after being in the tank for a couple of months with the Mandarin it started to eat the Mysis also and now I have to feed double because they keep stealing food out of the seahorses mouths, Literally!

    Matt Phenderson of MOFIB has had allot of success's in training Mandarins to eat just frozen also. Here is a link to an article that describe his way of training them to eat frozen foods. There are extensive post on the Mandarins on MOFIB including information on how to ween them off of PODS and breed them but unfortunately MOFIB seems to be offline right now.
     
    gazog, Oct 31, 2008
    gazog, Oct 31, 2008
    #12
  3. sessionthree

    sessionthree Spaghetti Worm

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    While there has been success here, it isn't something beginner should be trying. I am assuming the OP is a beginner.
     
    sessionthree, Oct 31, 2008
    sessionthree, Oct 31, 2008
    #13
  4. sessionthree

    sessionthree Spaghetti Worm

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    I just wanted to comment on this. When I began in this hobby, I felt this way, too, with some purchases. However, it's probably in your best interest to get this thinking out of your head when buying fish. It can lead to a lot of trouble.
     
    sessionthree, Oct 31, 2008
    sessionthree, Oct 31, 2008
    #14
  5. gazog

    gazog Kole Tang

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    Like I said I agree with most of what has been posted I just find it interesting that there is so much of a "it can't be done" attitude, especially when it has been so well documented that it can.

    I agree a beginner might want to try an easier fish, but to say it can't be done or they don't survive just isn't true.
     
    gazog, Oct 31, 2008
    gazog, Oct 31, 2008
    #15
  6. Otty

    Otty Giant Squid

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    I second that opinion. Plus never go in and impulse buy, that will get you into trouble too.
     
    Otty, Oct 31, 2008
    Otty, Oct 31, 2008
    #16
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  7. missionsix

    missionsix Super Moderator Staff Member

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    Good advice. This may tend to cause a person to convince themselves that there is a chance. While it is possible, even a mandarin accepting prepared foods may still be aimed for certain death. There are a few concerns regarding selection of a healthy mandarin. My fist look at the mandarin would be an overall appearance of health. Most importantly a full belly. Mandarins that have sunken bellies(eating prepared or not) are almost certain to perish regardless. An ample pod population isn't the only requirement. I have succesfully kept mine for over a year. It also shares the tank with another "pod eater". I personally think that dragonettes come at too cheap of a price. Paid 20 bucks for mine. Tack on another 100 and people that are "un-sure" will most likely look into it further.
    I waited 13 years before I purchased my first dragonette.
     
    missionsix, Oct 31, 2008
    missionsix, Oct 31, 2008
    #17
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  8. gazog

    gazog Kole Tang

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    I agree, I always go and look at everything, decide what I want and the LFS around here will for the most part put something on hold for a few dollars if I tell them I want to go home and read up about it.

    buying on impulse is not only dangerous but can be cruel if you get the wrong thing and kill it or make it suffer.
     
    gazog, Oct 31, 2008
    gazog, Oct 31, 2008
    #18
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  9. sessionthree

    sessionthree Spaghetti Worm

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    I've thought about this, too. They go for $12 at one of the LFS stores around here. :eek:
     
    sessionthree, Oct 31, 2008
    sessionthree, Oct 31, 2008
    #19
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  10. Iraf

    Iraf Snowflake Eel

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    Mine was eating mysis also but in a tank where there is faster moving fish the other fish would get all the food while the mandarin starved, in a sea horse tank I'm sure he'd have done fine since they all are slow movers
     
    Iraf, Oct 31, 2008
    Iraf, Oct 31, 2008
    #20
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