My mandarin is eating pellets!?!?!?!?!

hotelbravo · 03/02/2015, 05:32 PM

Ive watched my mandarin two days in a row eating pellets during feeding time. ive thought i saw him eating them in the past but never confirmed. i was showing off my tank to a group of coworkers and i was showing them how my automatic fish feeder and i pressed the rotate button and sure enough the mandarin comes out from his hunt in the rocks and starts eating these pellets. The mandarin has been with me for about 4 months now maybe longer. i have seeded the system with roughly 15,000 copepods 2-3 months before i bought him to allow time to populate. i just switched to a larger tank and used all the copepod rich live rock and sand so im hoping most survived. im still adding copepods every now and then but only the 1,500 ct bottle.

has anyone ever seen their mandarin eating pellets? is it a bad sign? he is looking fat and happy.

the pellets were Instant Ocean Marine Pellet Omnivore 100 Gram
http://www.amazon.com/Instant-Ocean-.../dp/B002WYO24W

Azedenkae · 03/02/2015, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotelbravo

Ive watched my mandarin two days in a row eating pellets during feeding time. ive thought i saw him eating them in the past but never confirmed. i was showing off my tank to a group of coworkers and i was showing them how my automatic fish feeder and i pressed the rotate button and sure enough the mandarin comes out from his hunt in the rocks and starts eating these pellets. The mandarin has been with me for about 4 months now maybe longer. i have seeded the system with roughly 15,000 copepods 2-3 months before i bought him to allow time to populate. i just switched to a larger tank and used all the copepod rich live rock and sand so im hoping most survived. im still adding copepods every now and then but only the 1,500 ct bottle.

has anyone ever seen their mandarin eating pellets? is it a bad sign? he is looking fat and happy.

the pellets were Instant Ocean Marine Pellet Omnivore 100 Gram
http://www.amazon.com/Instant-Ocean-.../dp/B002WYO24W

Lol it is a great thing. Congrats, your mandarin now have more food options.

skeeter_ca · 03/02/2015, 05:38 PM

Good for you.......

Now see if you can get him to roll over

m0nkie · 03/02/2015, 06:18 PM

just about every mandarin owner's dream!

but continue feeding live pods (keep pods population up).

hotelbravo · 03/02/2015, 06:34 PM

He only ate 3 pellets today.. there were opportunities to eat more he passed up. Do you think he was just experimenting or do you think this behavior will likely continue?

Corriebh · 03/02/2015, 06:38 PM

Awesome! Now see if you can breed him and see if the babies eat pellet food too. You could make a fortune

hotelbravo · 03/02/2015, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corriebh

Awesome! Now see if you can breed him and see if the babies eat pellet food too. You could make a fortune

Dont you dare put those wondeful ideas into my head!

Azedenkae · 03/02/2015, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotelbravo

He only ate 3 pellets today.. there were opportunities to eat more he passed up. Do you think he was just experimenting or do you think this behavior will likely continue?

Did he eat them like full eat them? Like eat and swallow. XD Make sure he wasn't just experimenting (and spitting them out).

But three isn't bad. They do like to eat frequent small meals after all. If I recall correctly.

hotelbravo · 03/02/2015, 08:02 PM

No he did not spit them out I was watching him like a hawk he sucked them up and no pieces came back out. None. Nada

Azedenkae · 03/02/2015, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotelbravo

No he did not spit them out I was watching him like a hawk he sucked them up and no pieces came back out. None. Nada

Well definitely eating pellets then.

Yeah I'd say supplement pods anyways, but let him eat pellets when he can.

Stevenliu9 · 03/02/2015, 09:44 PM

just to confirm is it a spotted mandarin or a green and red one?

hotelbravo · 03/02/2015, 09:49 PM

Green mandarin dragonet though its mostly blue.
What would the difference be for the situation.

tkeracer619 · 03/02/2015, 10:08 PM

Remember the pellets aren't its main diet. Even though it is eating pellets it is only supplemental. This fish eats all day long.

30g · 03/02/2015, 10:10 PM

I guess the proper common name to use now is blue mandarin dragonnet

supervdl · 03/02/2015, 10:12 PM

I feed mine live brine shrimps. Doesn't get off the feeding station.

hotelbravo · 03/02/2015, 10:27 PM

That's pretty cool Supervdl.

MondoBongo · 03/03/2015, 07:49 AM

most mandys will eat anything they can get to. the trouble with mine is that for her to get pellets, she needs to out compete the other fatties in my tank that tend to hang out in the water column, as opposed to on the rocks and sand like she does.

by the time the pellets would have sunk down to her level, they're usually all gobbled up.

hotelbravo · 03/03/2015, 08:39 PM

Ive heard quite opposite. Seen many many people post threads or videos of them trying to feed their mandarins mysis, brine, and other foods with very very little luck.

supervdl · 03/07/2015, 08:49 PM

I am a firm believer in feeding them live baby brine shrimp.

ViktorVaughn · 03/07/2015, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotelbravo

Ive heard quite opposite. Seen many many people post threads or videos of them trying to feed their mandarins mysis, brine, and other foods with very very little luck.

I've had 3 different mandarins and all have gone for pellets, flake, and any frozen that floats by them. Problem is, like MondoBongo said, all the other fish out compete them. Even if they were to get a fair amount at a morning and nightly feeding, it wouldn't be nearly enough to sustain their dietary needs. From what I've read, their digestive systems are built differently from normal fish. While a pellet or two here and there certainly won't hurt, a much better option are the constant feeders like PaulB's or supervdl's above combined with a large pod population.

hotelbravo · 03/08/2015, 09:40 AM

So how do those feeding stations work. What are they called and how much do they run?

ViktorVaughn · 03/08/2015, 10:03 AM

When I was running a 40 breeder that couldn't keep up with my current mandarins diet, mine was just a simple small glass from my cupboard that I'd put at a 30 degree angle or so in the sandbed (keep crabs out). Its probably about 3-4" deep with a 2" diameter. I'd put a mixture of nutramar and mysis shrimp in there before and after work to provide him a constant food source. He'd go in periodically throughout the day and chow down then resume his pod hunt. Only downside was keeping snails out. PaulB's and supervdl above can be made easily for cheap. Just search for PaulB's thread on it, I think he detailed the build.

hotelbravo · 03/08/2015, 12:00 PM

I tried searching their posts couldnt find a thread on it

Fishinwall · 04/03/2015, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotelbravo

I tried searching their posts couldnt find a thread on it

Here you go... I built mine today.

http://www.saltwatersmarts.com/diy-t...pipefish-2804/

03/02/2015, 05:32 PM	#1
hotelbravo Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 2,175	My mandarin is eating pellets!?!?!?!?! Ive watched my mandarin two days in a row eating pellets during feeding time. ive thought i saw him eating them in the past but never confirmed. i was showing off my tank to a group of coworkers and i was showing them how my automatic fish feeder and i pressed the rotate button and sure enough the mandarin comes out from his hunt in the rocks and starts eating these pellets. The mandarin has been with me for about 4 months now maybe longer. i have seeded the system with roughly 15,000 copepods 2-3 months before i bought him to allow time to populate. i just switched to a larger tank and used all the copepod rich live rock and sand so im hoping most survived. im still adding copepods every now and then but only the 1,500 ct bottle. has anyone ever seen their mandarin eating pellets? is it a bad sign? he is looking fat and happy. the pellets were Instant Ocean Marine Pellet Omnivore 100 Gram http://www.amazon.com/Instant-Ocean-.../dp/B002WYO24W __________________ -Hodge Current Tank Info: 180 gallon, 40b sump. 3x OR T247 lighting, Reef Octopus protein skimmer, phosban 550 reactor, tunze ato, gyre xf 150, 2x mag 9.5 returns.

03/02/2015, 05:38 PM	#3
skeeter_ca Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Yucaipa, CA Posts: 1,007	Good for you....... Now see if you can get him to roll over __________________ skeeter - It is easier to ask for forgiveness than premission. My motto to my wife. Current Tank Info: 75rr,6"dsb,refugium,auto top-off & semi-auto water changer, OM squirt. 4 MJs 1200, Started on 03/03/06

03/02/2015, 06:18 PM	#4
m0nkie Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: LA Posts: 6,264	just about every mandarin owner's dream! but continue feeding live pods (keep pods population up). __________________ 560gal in the making

03/02/2015, 06:34 PM	#5
hotelbravo Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 2,175	He only ate 3 pellets today.. there were opportunities to eat more he passed up. Do you think he was just experimenting or do you think this behavior will likely continue? __________________ -Hodge Current Tank Info: 180 gallon, 40b sump. 3x OR T247 lighting, Reef Octopus protein skimmer, phosban 550 reactor, tunze ato, gyre xf 150, 2x mag 9.5 returns.

03/02/2015, 08:02 PM	#9
hotelbravo Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 2,175	No he did not spit them out I was watching him like a hawk he sucked them up and no pieces came back out. None. Nada __________________ -Hodge Current Tank Info: 180 gallon, 40b sump. 3x OR T247 lighting, Reef Octopus protein skimmer, phosban 550 reactor, tunze ato, gyre xf 150, 2x mag 9.5 returns.

03/02/2015, 06:38 PM	#6
Corriebh Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 47	Awesome! Now see if you can breed him and see if the babies eat pellet food too. You could make a fortune

03/02/2015, 09:44 PM	#11
Stevenliu9 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Madison WI Posts: 795	just to confirm is it a spotted mandarin or a green and red one? __________________ Steven Liu See More at: bluemarineart.com Current Tank Info: 180 Mix Reef + 28G Seahorse Species Tank

03/02/2015, 09:49 PM	#12
hotelbravo Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 2,175	Green mandarin dragonet though its mostly blue. What would the difference be for the situation. __________________ -Hodge Current Tank Info: 180 gallon, 40b sump. 3x OR T247 lighting, Reef Octopus protein skimmer, phosban 550 reactor, tunze ato, gyre xf 150, 2x mag 9.5 returns.

03/02/2015, 10:08 PM	#13
tkeracer619 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Westminster, CO Posts: 17,289	Remember the pellets aren't its main diet. Even though it is eating pellets it is only supplemental. This fish eats all day long. __________________ Hobby Experience: 9200ish gallons, 26 skimmers, and a handful of Kent Scrapers. Current Tank: Vortech Powered 600G SPS Tank w/ 100gal frag tank & 100g Sump. RK2-RK10 Skimmer. ReefAngel. Radium 20k.

03/02/2015, 10:10 PM	#14
30g Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 121	I guess the proper common name to use now is blue mandarin dragonnet

03/02/2015, 10:12 PM	#15
supervdl Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: NE PA Posts: 1,315	I feed mine live brine shrimps. Doesn't get off the feeding station. __________________ My tank thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1167897 Current Tank Info: 135 gal mixed reef with Radions and Zeovit; 210 gal SPS reef being set up

03/02/2015, 10:27 PM	#16
hotelbravo Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 2,175	That's pretty cool Supervdl. __________________ -Hodge Current Tank Info: 180 gallon, 40b sump. 3x OR T247 lighting, Reef Octopus protein skimmer, phosban 550 reactor, tunze ato, gyre xf 150, 2x mag 9.5 returns.

03/03/2015, 07:49 AM	#17
MondoBongo Obligate Feeder Obsessed Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 4,061	most mandys will eat anything they can get to. the trouble with mine is that for her to get pellets, she needs to out compete the other fatties in my tank that tend to hang out in the water column, as opposed to on the rocks and sand like she does. by the time the pellets would have sunk down to her level, they're usually all gobbled up. __________________ [Citation Needed] "You don't use science to show that you're right, you use science to become right" - xkcd Current Tank Info: A rectangular shaped money pit.

03/03/2015, 08:39 PM	#18
hotelbravo Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 2,175	Ive heard quite opposite. Seen many many people post threads or videos of them trying to feed their mandarins mysis, brine, and other foods with very very little luck. __________________ -Hodge Current Tank Info: 180 gallon, 40b sump. 3x OR T247 lighting, Reef Octopus protein skimmer, phosban 550 reactor, tunze ato, gyre xf 150, 2x mag 9.5 returns.

03/07/2015, 08:49 PM	#19
supervdl Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: NE PA Posts: 1,315	I am a firm believer in feeding them live baby brine shrimp. __________________ My tank thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1167897 Current Tank Info: 135 gal mixed reef with Radions and Zeovit; 210 gal SPS reef being set up

03/08/2015, 09:40 AM	#21
hotelbravo Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 2,175	So how do those feeding stations work. What are they called and how much do they run? __________________ -Hodge Current Tank Info: 180 gallon, 40b sump. 3x OR T247 lighting, Reef Octopus protein skimmer, phosban 550 reactor, tunze ato, gyre xf 150, 2x mag 9.5 returns.

03/08/2015, 10:03 AM	#22
ViktorVaughn Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Aurora, CO Posts: 619	When I was running a 40 breeder that couldn't keep up with my current mandarins diet, mine was just a simple small glass from my cupboard that I'd put at a 30 degree angle or so in the sandbed (keep crabs out). Its probably about 3-4" deep with a 2" diameter. I'd put a mixture of nutramar and mysis shrimp in there before and after work to provide him a constant food source. He'd go in periodically throughout the day and chow down then resume his pod hunt. Only downside was keeping snails out. PaulB's and supervdl above can be made easily for cheap. Just search for PaulB's thread on it, I think he detailed the build.

03/08/2015, 12:00 PM	#23
hotelbravo Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 2,175	I tried searching their posts couldnt find a thread on it __________________ -Hodge Current Tank Info: 180 gallon, 40b sump. 3x OR T247 lighting, Reef Octopus protein skimmer, phosban 550 reactor, tunze ato, gyre xf 150, 2x mag 9.5 returns.