Green Mandarin Spawn

zhorne · #1 11/28/2007, 11:44 PM

I recently added a female green mandarin to my 300g tank. Male has been in there for ~3 months and was really healthy with an awesome/huge dorsal fin.

The female was in fair shape when I got her from a LFS and I could tell she had a sunken tummy. I had been looking for a female for a few months so I took the risk on her. She only took a few days to fatten up and is doing great now.

After just 10 days I caught them spawning. I grabbed my wife and we watched them go at it for at least 3 minutes.

Man, that was really cool. I never thought I would ever see that in my own reef tank.

Just had to share.

Anyone know if they spawn on any time cycle?

Z

Reef'in Colorado · #2 11/29/2007, 01:18 AM

i am unsure about their mating habits, but take some pics next time

uscharalph · #3 11/29/2007, 01:21 AM

Congratulations! You must be doing some things right.

teamdulski · #4 11/29/2007, 09:50 AM

Thats awesome.

nano10 · #5 11/29/2007, 10:03 AM

Thats really cool

LockeOak · #6 11/29/2007, 11:36 AM

As far as I'm aware aquacultured mandarins are not available, maybe you could share information on your tank that might be relevant for others trying to breed them?

asonitez · #7 11/29/2007, 11:39 AM

2 words

fish pr0n

But seriously though thats amazing. I have always seen mandarins in my LFS and while they are beautiful My tank isn't established enough to offer them enough mysis or copepods to fatten them up. i was also told that they did not do well on frozen or prepared foods. I plan on having one as soon as my tank matures though.

reefguru2 · #8 11/29/2007, 12:34 PM

Basically if you have two well fed mandarins in a timed light cycle aquarium they will spawn. And they will do it a few times a week. Very cool to watch. I have never heard of anybody raising the babies though, and I have never tried to do it with mine.

Aimforever · #9 11/29/2007, 12:57 PM

zhorne how do you tell the male and female apart? Is is just based on the size of the dorsal fin? I have an obese green mandarin, and your story really inspired me to get it a partner so maybe it won't be able to eat so much... anyhow, I'm not sure what sex it is.

jcpatella · #10 11/29/2007, 05:52 PM

"Males may be distinguished from females by their more-elongated first dorsal spine."

reefergeorge · #11 11/29/2007, 06:21 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LockeOak
As far as I'm aware aquacultured mandarins are not available.

I read somewhere that it takes around a year before they are a marketable size. So it isn't a good investment, but congratulations on the healthy mandarins.