RSM - Mandarin Fish

[Rue]

Yes, I know...another hard to keep fish that I shouldn't get...

But it's one of the few small fish that I'd love to have...and I wouldn't feel guilty keeping them in the RSM, space-wise...

Has anyone been successful in getting them to eat packaged food? Obviously if I can't feed one I won't get one...but if I can, he's #2 on my list after my clownfish...

[kkyyllee]

some can be trained to eat frozen food, ask ur lfs if they have any eating frozen

[Crackerballer]

I want one in my nano too, and I know they need pods. I think i found my answer in a HOB Aquafuge, so I can breed the pods in there and let them escape into the display. It will be a while (atleast a year) before I even try it.

[chkit]

i had one in my 24 gallon ap and it just disappeared. no trace. i assumed it died and shrimp and hermits ate it.

[lpsluver]

Originally posted by kkyyllee
some can be trained to eat frozen food, ask ur lfs if they have any eating frozen

Don't only ask but make them show you. If not, the mandarin will likely not survive in a 34 gallon tank, even with a fuge. They need 75 to 100gallons minimu to keep them going, as they are always eating.

[detritus07]

I've read of a guy who fed them roe from a sushi place and said that it loved it.(He also supplemented with with other foods; mysis, etc.) This was in a nano tank.

[mushumatt]

i agree with LPS even if you have the fuge it will only delay the slow death in a small tank if it doesnt eat prepared food.

[Rue]

...I was thinking it might be too complicated...our SW LFS is very small...so the owner only orders them in if people want them for the most part...so I wouldn't have a large selection to choose from...

I suppose I could look for one that was already trained to frozen...

But it likely won't happen...I won't bring home a fish I can't feed properly...

[BCreefmaker]

sry 4 double post

[BCreefmaker]

i doubt your fish store feeds foods that mandarin would even accept... they like freeze dried/frozen pods or like others said properly preserved urchin roe the best (and not from the Asian food section of your grocery store) 100lbs live rock is required otherwise. if your near 100 lbs sometimes dosing phyto to make your pods go crazy will be enough.

[Rue]

...no...the RSM is 34g with a 29 g display...and I do have 30 lbs of live rock...but that's it...

Hmm...I imagine it's a total no-go unless I find a fish that will eat frozen stuff...and get the proper frozen food...lol...urchin roe will just add to the ambiance of my freezer...

[amoryodio]

I agree with lpsluver, my lfs said it ate frozen, but it didnt eat anything but pods. MAKE THEM SHOW YOU.