Can my tank support a Mandarin

I've got a 150 gal,2x250 watt MH, no fuge just wet/dry with skimmer, about 125 lbs LR. Tank is 6 months old, water parameters good. I'm wondering if I can support a mandarin. I do see tiny shrimp possibly pods at the base of only one rock. The overflow has a bunch of small shrimp and tiny bugs (assuming pods) in it. Help!

 

Hi, and welcome to 3Reef!

Your tank is certainly large enough that one Mandarin won't deplete your pod population, once it is fully established. I would, however, recommend that you wait at least another six months to ensure that it has.

Mandarins are a bit tricky... Some individuals will accept and thrive on frozen meaty foods, and some will simply starve to death without a continuous supply of pods, completely refusing anything and everything you try to feed them.

Cheers

 

Is it possible to speed up the process by stocking it with purchased pods?

 

It can but that would be a rather expensive proposition at close to 20 bucks a bottle. Look into a ORA mandrin, they are tank bred and eat nothing but frozen foods.

 

They are tricky for sure...I have an established tank and I still lost one.

I havent tried since though.....hmmm!

 

what other fish are there?
If you don't already have one, I would avoid getting a wrasse as its a big pod consumer too. I wouldn't want them to compete(the wrasse would win). If that's the situation I would say go for it.

 

I would really like to see your fish list and see how aggressive the tankmates are. Then I would say if your tank is a good full six months old and the tankmates arent too aggressive you could try it and watch it closely you will see it crusing over the surface of LR eating pods and If it isnt eating bring it back to the store. They are really shy and peaceful fish and very picky eaters and can be bullied by agressive damsels in particular. Well I know exactly what you are thinking they are really cool and really nice fish and being able to support one is a testament to your tank keeping ability so try it if you feel you are ready. Good luck keep us posted.

 

I have a yellow tang, naso tang, coral beauty, flame angel, mated true perculas, 3 chromis, and some sort of jawfish. No wrasse
Is there a difference between the psychedelic mandarin and the green spotted one, is one hardier or easier to keep then the other?