Quote:
Originally Posted by Rob  yes, i do have a pair, but they are the same species as noted.
if the tank is large enough and there is enough food, i think you can mix species, but don't quote me on this one...
wheres amp when you need him... |
Right here, at your beckoned call. 
Manderins, what a great little reef fish, one of my favorite. Have you ever noticed I say that about most saltwater fish? I've been totally hooked for years, nearly half a century. God that makes me seem old. Oh, well.
The first concern in having one Manderin is adequate food supply. Since they only eat live food that means pods, lots of pods. That means having more than just
LR for them to do their breeding thing. I like to set up a Puka shell breeding station in my
sump/refugium for them to have security from predators to do their thing. In lieu of that option a rubble pile or two in the main display would be a second alternative.
The next concern I would have is finding a healthy Manderin. Consider this, most
LFS cannot supply a Manderin with an adequate supply of live food. Live brine shrimp is not only a poor substitute for pods, the Manderin is so fussy an eater it won't touch LB until it's acclimated to tank life and eating pods. Then it might not ever eat LB. so finding a healthy one is a problem. Inspect a prospective Manderin for the following symptoms of starvation, concave belly area and muscle loss in the back and shoulder area. If you find one that doesn't show these symptoms I'd take a chance and buy him.
Next concern, Manderins are slow deliberate swimmers and can be easily scared off a potential meal by more robust swimming fish. So, careful consideration of current and future tank mates should be paramount in your decision.
Next concern, Multiple Manderins. It's a fact that male Manderins will fight. So, avoid two males. It's noted above the sexual differences between male and female Manderins.
Next concern, mixing species of Manderins. Sorry, I don't have a clew on this one. My guess would be that two males of different species will act like two rowdy boys. I would avoid two males.
Final concern, Just because you have enough pod production to feed one Manderin doesn't mean your pod production facilities will support two. As more pods are consumed your breeding stock is being reduced. Also, other fish in your system are opportunistic pod eaters further reducing the systems ability to support two Manderins.
I'm sure there are other variables involved, too.
