WTB: copepods or some info on ORA mandarins

[JFord]

I'm looking for some copepods to start culturing to add a mandarin to my tank. There was someone at LEAR selling bottled copepods but I don't remember who it was or if they are on here. I've also heard that ORA mandarins will eat normal food. Anybody have experience with that? Thanks!

[Jaculus]

Where are you located first? If you are somewhat local I can help by providing some Calurpa from my refugium that is very VERY populated with amphipods and copopods. IF you do not have a filter sponge on your return pump then many will get back into the DT. That is the primary source for my two Mandy's. BUT in my case I have trained my two mandarins to eat a little from my Jullians Thing feeder (google it) and I use Reef Chilli from BRS. The trick is to VERY slowly release it from the syringe in front of the mandarin. VERY slowly. Mine will only eat things that move VERY slowly and they only eat the very small pieces of food (Reef Chilli) coming from the syringe RIGHT at the tip. It's their natural instinct to eat that way NOT free floating stuff. And it has to be very small thus the Reef Chilli for me was perfect. The corals love the stuff they dont get too.

I have been looking at making a very small version of some pod havens (search Ebay for "pod haven") Or something like that to cycle MORE pods from my refugium to the DT but they are happy now with the pods that make it from the refugium by way of the return pump and supplememnt with the Reef CHilli at times.

Seeding your refugium and growint the pods there is the BEST way rather than continually buying bottles of pods etc for the DT. Let me know what city you live in and if I can I could try to meet you with some Calurpa with very high concentration of many types of pods from mine. I live in Alliance but I travel over most of northern ohio with work.

[JFord]

Thanks for all the info! Actually Jaculus we are about a half hour apart, I live in Lisbon . My tank is about 2 years old. I do not have anything on my return pump. I've just been very intrigued by them and do understand they are finicky . I actually have 2 tanks. One 7 gallon nano reef , and my 75 gallon reef. I tend to my tanks everyday and watch everything like a hawk, lol

[Jaculus]

I go through Lisbon often on my way from Columbiana to Minerva, Carrolton or Scio. I will pm you my cell phone number then you can return yours when I know I will be going through that area I will make up a bag of the stuff for you. Then I can meet you somewhere on rt30 or near there on my way through that area.

[mzkrista]

It was hollback selling the pods, he's from Columbus

[aquatictec]

We culture our own pods Moina salina.
We usually have 1 to 2 batches available per day
They are very active, and very alive.
Call first to make sure we are not sold out.

Aquatic Technology
(440) 236 8330

[reefer2014]

Jaculus. I was wondering if you still have the culurpa? Would I be able to get some of the culurpa? I know I have some cope pods in my syst but not sure if it would be enough. I just bought a mandarin and when it arrived it was a lot bigger than I expected so I want to make sure the mandarin doesn't starve.

[Jaculus]

Pods are definitely the best and preferred food for them but just a suggestion try some of the tricks to get them to eat either frozen food or something like brs reef chili. I supplement my mandarin with feeding mine some reef chili or some mysis from a Julians thing feeder. I recently thinned my calurpa way down. I gave it to a lfs. I had to thin it it had begun to get too thick so light was not making it to the center of the mass. My amphipod population just crashed but my copopods are fine. So i have a shipment of pods coming friday.

[Jaculus]

I can get some pods and/or some calurpa to you Friday maybe if my work takes me that way.

[rockslide123]

Pods are expensive (big news I'm sure) and mandarin go though them really fast. Mandarin will eat Tobiko (flying fish eggs). You can get these with very few additives locally (depends where locally is for you of course). New hatched brine shrimp is another option. Also, I have been culturing white worms so that I would have mandarin food on hand cheap. I have two cultures going right now that will be ready to start harvesting in about a week or two. They're really easy to care for. The beauty of white worms is they are perfect size for mandarin and stay active and alive for a long time in saltwater (unlike black worms). PM me if your interested in going this way.

This combination and some pods will give you plenty of time to train them on frozen, or pellets. Like everyone has already said you have to hand feed them from syringe very slowly. Good luck!

[reefer2014]

thanks for the advice. i will try some mysis this eveing and will look into the reef chilli.
i am in working in columbiana tomorrow AM. i live in boardman. let me know if you will in the area

[reefer2014]

rockslide123, i will try some mysis and see how it goes. i will PM you if this does not go well. i am usually in cleveland area every weekend

[Jaculus]

COlumbiana? LOL One of my offices is in Columbiana. In fact that is where I am sitting right now.

[rockslide123]

OK, like I said. My cultures won't be in full bloom for a week or two. I might seed a new one soon just in case.

[aquatictec]

How are your cultures doing? I used to culture them when I was younger. I never tried them for saltwater fish and would like to know how they work.

[rockslide123]

Not hard to keep at all if you can maintain the temp range. Need attention every 2 or 3 days. Just throw in a few pieces of wet dog food and spray with DI water. takes a couple of months to get a culture productive so you need to maintain a couple at a time if you have a large set up to feed. I only have clowns but they love them. Corals take them too. They stay alive a long time in saltwater. Never make it to the bottom of the tank.

[seanb19]

Anyone in the Medina area wanting to sell some pods?

[Jaculus]

Originally Posted by reefer2014

Jaculus. I was wondering if you still have the culurpa? Would I be able to get some of the culurpa? I know I have some cope pods in my syst but not sure if it would be enough. I just bought a mandarin and when it arrived it was a lot bigger than I expected so I want to make sure the mandarin doesn't starve.

I just thinned my refugium this morning. I have three LARGE ziplock bags ready. Keeping the bags under light and moist. One bag is called for. You could get today here in Alliance or I will try to make arrangements to meet up with you in Boardman or Columbiana tomorrow.

[Jaculus]

[reefer2014]

Thanks
I am working in columbiana all day tomorrow