Green Mandarin - 1 or 2?

[Thornbreaker]

I've got a 150 gallon tank with a 35 gallon sump. Altogether probably 170 gallons of water after you subtract rock.

Would this be enough volume to have 2 green mandarins?

My current stock is 2 clowns, 1 royal gramma, 1 foxface lo.

Future stock will probably be the addition of 2 tangs.

(I tried a few wrasses, which didn't make it out of QT, so I'm thinking 2 mandarins instead of 1 would be nice instead).

Also, any recommendations on where to get captive bred mandarins? I've seen algaebarn, but was curious as to where's the best place to buy from?

[mcgyvr]

2 will be ok...you may need to add pods every month or so though.

[scattered]

Originally Posted by mcgyvr

2 will be ok...you may need to add pods every month or so though.

Biota aquaculture mandarins are raised on frozen food and bottled cyclops. Adding pods is great if you need to but not a necessity.

I trust liveaquaria much more than algaebarn as a source for Biota bred.


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[Anemone]

Your amount of live rock matters. If you really only have enough rock to displace 15 gallons of water, then you need to add more! How many pounds of live rock do you have, and what type?


Kevin

[Thornbreaker]

I'm guessing on the overall gallons, honestly. I've got about 145 lbs of reefcleaner rock. About 10 lbs of that is in the sump, along with cheato and whatever is growing in there at this point.

Tank has been running about 1 year.

[MondoBongo]

you would probably be fine in that tank assuming no direct predators.

i will caution that mandy's can be very territorial. my mandy killed a small scooter i introduced. so if you're looking for a pair, a male/female pair would probably be the way to go.

[Thornbreaker]

Originally Posted by MondoBongo

you would probably be fine in that tank assuming no direct predators.

i will caution that mandy's can be very territorial. my mandy killed a small scooter i introduced. so if you're looking for a pair, a male/female pair would probably be the way to go.

Yes, that's my thoughts. I'd prefer an insured gender of each at the same time.

Do places like LA ever mix their captive breds in with non-captive bred fish? I'm also looking at putting them right into the DT (post bag float).

[scattered]

Originally Posted by Thornbreaker

Yes, that's my thoughts. I'd prefer an insured gender of each at the same time.



Do places like LA ever mix their captive breds in with non-captive bred fish? I'm also looking at putting them right into the DT (post bag float).

LA calls them blue mandarins, algaebarn calls them green and so does Biota. Just heads up.

I cannot imagine they would mix aquaculture with wild caught at any of the three. Ever.

As far as going in the tank right out of the bag...I would hope I could trust these specifically because they are aquaculture but obviously full QT is best practice. I cannot claim to adhere to best practice myself but mine did not go right in the tank.

As far as getting a M/F pair, the difference is obviously but sex isn’t guaranteed if I recall correctly. They are pretty small when shipped.


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[Uncle99]

Keep in mind that captive bred mandarins are usually quite small and this can be problematic in terms of overall health.

[scattered]

Originally Posted by Uncle99

Keep in mind that captive bred mandarins are usually quite small and this can be problematic in terms of overall health.

Yes, like 1/2 inch small. They need hiding space or careful choice in tank mates.


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[Thornbreaker]

So far, my fish get along pretty well. The foxface every once in awhile keeps the royal gramma in line, but overall I've had no issues of concern.

I would think they'd all ignore a mandarin or two.


From what I've read, they do apparently ship pretty small.

The ones at my LFS are sometimes over 1", but I hesitate to buy as he's been honest that they aren't captive bred.

I normally TTM, but with the live food being a primary concern, I'll take my chances with this specific species provided they arrive looking healthy.

[Thornbreaker]

I may end up going with 1 mandarin and 1 court jester goby having looked at other captive bred fish. I'll TTM and QT the goby.

[MondoBongo]

Originally Posted by Thornbreaker

Yes, that's my thoughts. I'd prefer an insured gender of each at the same time.

Do places like LA ever mix their captive breds in with non-captive bred fish? I'm also looking at putting them right into the DT (post bag float).

that i can't say, but i would be wary even if they did keep them separate.

that said, due to their unique diet and heavy slime coat, mandy's can be much more difficult to QT, and less prone to infections.

if possible, holding them for observation in a fully cycled, pod loaded, tank is preferable, but i understand that's not always an option for people.

[Thornbreaker]

Originally Posted by MondoBongo

that i can't say, but i would be wary even if they did keep them separate.

that said, due to their unique diet and heavy slime coat, mandy's can be much more difficult to QT, and less prone to infections.

if possible, holding them for observation in a fully cycled, pod loaded, tank is preferable, but i understand that's not always an option for people.

I tried a reef QT (sand, rock, even a bit of cheeto) for a couple of leopard wrasses.
The one that was eating both pods and mysis lasted 3 weeks. I'm not sure why she died, but my best guess is the prazi I added in week 3.

I tore down the reef QT after as I had no more desire to try leopard wrasses at this time. I was 0 for 4 overall, and 0 for 5 on wrasses. (Tried a red salon fairy wrasse that croaked in TTM during the 3rd transfer, think it was also prazi dosing).

So moving on to what I planned anyway, a mandarin

[MondoBongo]

Originally Posted by Thornbreaker

I tried a reef QT (sand, rock, even a bit of cheeto) for a couple of leopard wrasses.
The one that was eating both pods and mysis lasted 3 weeks. I'm not sure why she died, but my best guess is the prazi I added in week 3.

I tore down the reef QT after as I had no more desire to try leopard wrasses at this time. I was 0 for 4 overall, and 0 for 5 on wrasses. (Tried a red salon fairy wrasse that croaked in TTM during the 3rd transfer, think it was also prazi dosing).

So moving on to what I planned anyway, a mandarin

wrasse can be real difficult, and some don't tolerate prazi very well. sorry to hear about the loss. best of luck with the mandy, sounds like you have a solid plan in place