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Originally Posted by Amphibious  Right here, at your beckoned call. 
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. |
yes, have 2 large rubble piles.....i did that expressly for the mandarin...plus the
fuge.....i also used tonga branch, feeling that the pods would have more breeding area in all the crevices i have in there
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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.
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the first one i got was eating live brine....but he did not look like he was doing well on that, so i added him to the display....he was a little skinny.....i know what to look for
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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.
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i chose only tank mates that would be compatable w/ mandarins...everyone is peaceful and a good citizen...my most aggressive fish is a little yellow goby who thinks he owns the tank
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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.
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this was my concern and initial question...thank you
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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.
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i would not add the other fish if i thought i was putting him/her at risk....every aspect of my tank was geared towards being able to house a mandarin....i have kept an eye on everything....and it seems as though the pod pop has actually grown since the initial addition...and not just a little bit...i have also have kept away from any fish that eats pods, for this very reason
thanks for help...it is appreciated:-)
