Mandarin Goby
 

I just bought a Mandarin Goby a week ago and its not eating much. Yesturday it ate a few brine shrimp. It is in a 33 gal aquarium with two dwarf puffers, a Percula Clown and a baby yellow tang. I have roughly 13 pounds of live rock that I have had for just 8 months. The guys at the fish store said it would be fine. Tanks for any help.

Matt

that's too many fish for a tank like that and also you'll need more rock

Yeah, your tank ideally would be at least a year old, with about 50 lbs LR, and not so many tankmates. But hey, it may pull through - here's some articles to read:

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/mandarins.htm

The guys at the fish store lied.

O.k Thanks for the help. I stil cant belive the guys at the store said it would be fine.

Matt

Which store did you go to?? Take it back. Seriously.

Christy :)

I bought it from some small store in Victoria. Normaly I go to a store in Nanimo called "My Fish Tank". They are great there.

Matt

As Alan says "ideally". However, Mandarins can surprise you by doing well in iffy situations. If it ate brine shrimp, which is basically like eating air :eek: , it may take to Mysis, which is much, much better. If it was not skinny when you bought it, it may have enough reserves to last it until it takes to proper food. However, more live rock would improve your chances, .but if you can take it back please do so

I have a Mandarins that would only eat pods. Then when I had to QT him and let main tank fowl, my mandarin went in a small 10gal tank. I was really worried about him since he won't eat for over a week. Finally after he started Brine Shrimp then I tried mysis and at first didn't eat it but then took to it after I soaked with with a bit of "Selcon" and sometimes garlic. Worth a try or else he could be sick and take him back if you can.
best of luck.

You know while we're on the topic of unsuitable conditions, that tang will need a much larger tank very soon.

Also I am wondering what you mean by dwarf puffers. My understanding is that dwarf puffers are strictly a freshwater fish (not even brackish). There are no "dwarf" marine puffers. And most of the marine puffers kept in captivity get quite large, according to what I've read.

Do you happen to know what your NH3, NO3, NO2 readings are at?