Manderine Goby
 

I was wondering if these are hard to keep, the only information I have found so far says they are difficult. But the LFS says that they are very easy as long as you have a good amount of rock and sand. Let me know what you guys think.

I think they should be avoided by beginners. They should be in a tank that has been up and running for a year or more, with plenty of life on the live rock. Also pay attention to the other fish in the tank. If you have fish that eat bugs off the live rock (like a 6-line wrasse for example) they can out-compete the mandarin for food.

My mandarin is doing fine but he is in a 120g with lots of life in it.

Agreed but if you have the chance see him eating frozen,then i doesnt mater how long the tank has been setup,even if its's been for quite a while he will go through the pods rather quickly,in a smaller tank.

When I set my tank (90 gal) up one of the main fish that I wanted was a Mandarin. Everyone told me not to put anything that eats pods in and after 4 or 5 months I'd be OK. My first 3 fish (Scooter Blenny, Yellow Wrasse and Orchid Dottyback) all eat pods, and I have had no problems so far with my Mandarin. For the first little while I was putting live pods in every week or so, but I've since noticed that both the blenny and the mandarin are selectively taking frozen food. So long story short, some will be easier than others, but they are an amazing fish! If yuo get lucky enough to find one that's already taking frozen, you're laughing!