Manderinfish

[DIVEPHOTO]

Thats my tank got some live stock .. 2 clowns , 1 algea blenny , 5 hermit crabs and 5 snails ... but i would like to put in a manderinfish ...yes i know it's for experts .. i'm not even a novice ..

But i would like to start and get the tank prepared.. My question is can i start introducing copepods into the tank so at a later stage i can introduce this stunning fish . what do you think guys can it be done this way ???

 

[-Nemo-]

Tried to find info, but couldn't. How big is your tank/How long has it been set up?

 

[DIVEPHOTO]

Hi Nemo.. it's only been set up 7 weeks or so .. what i have found out on tinternet is at least 6 months should establish a tank ??? thats fine but i would like to get the copepods and things sorted out and in abundance prior to the manderinfish being introduced to the reef??

My tank is 22 gal with 18 - 20 kg of live rock

 

[GrayScale]

If I'm not mistaken you would be talking about the mandarin dragonet (synchiropus splendidus) correct?

 

[DIVEPHOTO]

Hi Grayscale

yes that is correct .. stunning

 

[-Nemo-]

Your tank is fairly small, so even waiting the recommended time for tank to mature, you will not be able to fully support a mandarin with just what you have. You need a ton of live rock and preferably a refugium to continually support a mandarin.

What I can suggest, however, is periodically adding copepods to the tank. Live copepods are fairly expensive to buy, so I would suggest setting up a culture. Culturing them isn't too difficult and fairly low maintenance.

 

[DIVEPHOTO]

that sounds like a good idea.. i have a spare 34L tank that could support that ?? how would you go about it ??

It's a shame about the mandarinfish .. as im a newbie , its a big learning curve .. some sites say yeh no prob with a 22gal tank some say no way .. thats why i ask the experts on TFF

cheers

 

[lewiss]

I've had a spotted mandarin for about 8months. Agreed they are amazing fish. I feed mine copepods which I culture, actually quite easy! and I buy Artemia shelless (brine shrimp eggs) which hatch and then he eats. Brine shrimp isn't very nutritious, however newly hatched are! Also try to get a Mandarin that is feeding on frozen too, mine does partake in frozen food but def prefers the copepods and brine shrimp!!
If you do that and what the other guys say I'm sure you'll be ok!!

 

[DIVEPHOTO]

Hi Lewiss .. Thanks for that .. it looks like my spare tank will be used for that ??? but unfortunatly it would seem that my tank is too small .. only 22gal.cheers

 

[seffieuk]

Hi Lewiss .. Thanks for that .. it looks like my spare tank will be used for that ??? but unfortunatly it would seem that my tank is too small .. only 22gal.cheers

Your tank is not too small for a juvie and as long as you are culturing copepods and feeding the tank with them every day however it is too small for an adult Mandy, so you will need to have plans for a bigger tank

If you want to set up a culture (two is better), you can do them easily in two litre coke bottles or the like - nip over and have a read of the Mandy thread:

http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?/topic/306503-fish-of-the-week-dragonets/

 

[DIVEPHOTO]

Hi SeffieUK.. As always a superb thread,,
I think i will introduce some live ones into my tank first , then follow the directions to reproduce them ..
cheers