What can I do with that female mandarin?
 

wow, she's big...she is REALLY BIG now. She used to be with a male and was laying eggs often but the male was killed by a yellow tang (sold that bastard since) and now she is alone for about 8 months and she has been collecting eggs since then!

I was kind of hoping that she would lay them alone some how, but does that happen??? out of desparation to see her like that I bought a male and he's in quarantine for another 2 weeks...

What will happen eventualy if she does not accept the new male? will she die?

here is a video of the POOR THING! For now she eats very well and seem quite healthy, although she is fighting with her reflection...

so here is the video..have you ever seen anything like her? It is best to watch the video at 720p.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lP2JT...yer_detailpage

I wish I knew. My female mandarin is in the same situation (although not anywhere as profound as yours). First noticed this around 2 or 3 months ago. It does not seem to affect her ability to do anything. She has a male in the tank with her so I don't think it has anything to do with the presence or absence of a male..

I am really hoping she will accept that new male. I can't beleive she will go much longer looking like that. She look right about to burst and she is showing no sign of distress like yours.

Are yours spawning together?

They were at one point, when they were new to the tank. I can't say I have seen them spawn in a while now, however. I am not sure if they are missing a trigger (moon cycle?) to help them get in the mood..

WOW, she is a beauty!!! I have never seen a mandrin this swollen, thats just awesome!
Cheers Ronnie

Its gonna POP! LOL she is huge tho, my blue female did that when she was alone while I set up a seperate tank to try and raise the fry. But not nearly that big!

Mine never spawned under anything but the very dim moonlights. I think they need that to spawn.

Mine spawn just before lights out.....I don't have moonlights

That's good to know that they are spawning even under normal light.

Holy crap, that's awesome...

I hope my mandarins have babies soon too... My 2 absolute favorite things in the tank, they have been swimming together with the males fins around the female since I added him into the tank 2 months ago.