Mandarin questions

trilinearmipmap · #1 12-20-2004, 12:35 AM

1. Is there any type of mandarin that is easier than another kind to keep?

2. I understand Mandarins are slow. I have two Coral Banded Shrimp in a 120 that chase all my fish around but don't catch them. How safe will a Mandarin be?

Bob I · #2 12-20-2004, 12:55 AM

Answer to #1; I don't think one is any better than the other. I have had a Psychedelic (Purple) one for close to a year. He lives in my 33G semi cube. He has doubled in size in that period of time. Just don't try and keep them with Sixline wrasses, as you may be asking for trouble.
Answer to #2; You should not have a problem. It would be a particularly stupid fish to allow itself to be caught by a shrimp. Mine is in with a Stenopus zanzibaricus, and has never been caught.

trilinearmipmap · #3 12-20-2004, 02:08 AM

Thanks.

Manny · #4 12-20-2004, 06:28 AM

i bought a psychedelic fish a couple of weeks ago and is now my favorite fish.

it swims, stops, looks around

. swims, stops, looks around, nibbles on something, looks around

. swims some more...

very active and really stunning to look at.

makes me laugh

EmilyB · #5 12-20-2004, 06:44 AM

The green mandarin Synchiropus splendidus has in my experience been a greedy little eating machine and more likely to take frozen food.

I have seen a coral banded trying to attack fish in the water column....and seeing my mandarins sound asleep in the middle of the sand... well, I would never put them together.

StirCrazy · #6 12-20-2004, 07:22 AM

On the topic of Mandrins, I would no recomend on in a tank less than 50 gal with 80 or more lbs of rock that has been well established. Bob's from what I remember eats food he feeds it but that is far and few between.

Steve

danny zubot · #7 12-20-2004, 02:17 PM

I've had my manderine for close to 8 months now in a 54 gallon tank. I also have a banded coral shrimp. The shrimp is territorial and will usually only nip at fish that come into its cave. They should be alright together because the manderine will learn what the tolerance of the shrimp are.

Bob I · #8 12-20-2004, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StirCrazy

On the topic of Mandrins, I would no recomend on in a tank less than 50 gal with 80 or more lbs of rock that has been well established. Bob's from what I remember eats food he feeds it but that is far and few between.

Steve

That of course is true, but how do you know if the fish is going to eat without actually bringing it home

. In the case of Mandarins it is usually a long time before they actually take food one provides.
And as far as sleeping on the sand and being eaten

. I would think that the fish would feel that it is being eaten, and move off.

trilinearmipmap · #9 12-20-2004, 04:45 PM

I have a 120g with 100 pounds of live rock and a small in-sump refugium. I figure a Mandarin will probably be OK for food.

Manny · #10 12-20-2004, 05:42 PM

i have 60gal with a small in-sump refugium, about 100lbs of live rock and my psychedelic fish (Synchiropus picturatus) is definantly getting fatter and is very active and healthy.

i do notice that as soon as the lights go out it will be perched in some nook in the rock fast asleep.

he's a cute little bugger.