Paddy's Mandarin Paradise

[toytech]

Very cool idea , mandrins in nanos are great because then you can see how beautiful these fish really are. I picked up a blue mandarin last saturday to put in my 15 gal (no fuge , or sump) and already she loves frozen blood worms , im trying to get her to eat out of a diner (small jar ) so i dont have to find her and get a bunch of food in the rocks around her . Im hoping once she eats in the diner on a regular basis i can put other foods in there like flake or pellets and she will eat those too .

[paddyob]

I MAY have found a 30 gallon tall to work with.

If so... then I may get a HOB overflow and use the 20 for a sump/fuge.

[ashley]

Awesome! I love Mandarins to so I'm really looking forward to seeing this!

[bignose]

me too

[paddyob]

Hmmmm.... does anyone want to see the beautiful fiji rock I picked up at Aquarium Illusions?

[christyf5]

nah...

come on, you know we all love pictures!!

[Myka]

Hey Patrick, this is a cool idea. I love Mandarins too! Have you kept a pair before? Do you plan to breed them?

[paddyob]

Originally Posted by Myka

Hey Patrick, this is a cool idea. I love Mandarins too! Have you kept a pair before? Do you plan to breed them?

I have not kept a pair before.

I do intend to try breed them. It is obviously being done elsewhere, and mandarins are known to tank breed.

I figure if I set up the tank to directly cater to them, no competition, then there is a chance they may.

I am open to suggestions if anyone has them, in regards to breeding Mandarins, raising fry, ideal conditions, etc.

I love Mandarins and hope to do well.

The tank is cycling. I will perform the first water tests today to see where its at. I will not be adding Mandarins until June-July.

To help my PODs reproduce in the meantime.... should I feed the tank anything specific?

[Myka]

Originally Posted by paddyob

I have not kept a pair before. I do intend to try breed them. It is obviously being done elsewhere, and mandarins are known to tank breed. I figure if I set up the tank to directly cater to them, no competition, then there is a chance they may. I am open to suggestions if anyone has them, in regards to breeding Mandarins, raising fry, ideal conditions, etc. I love Mandarins and hope to do well.

The tank is cycling. I will perform the first water tests today to see where its at. I will not be adding Mandarins until June-July.

To help my PODs reproduce in the meantime.... should I feed the tank anything specific?

If you plan to breed them you will need a taller tank. They make an ascent as they breed, and they won't be able to complete the act if the tank isn't tall enough. A breeding pair will probably need a bigger tank as they are quite aggressive to each other when not breeding. Separating them my be required.

For pods, I suggest an attached overflow style refugium to provide a safe place for pods to breed.

[paddyob]

Originally Posted by Myka

If you plan to breed them you will need a taller tank. They make an ascent as they breed, and they won't be able to complete the act if the tank isn't tall enough. A breeding pair will probably need a bigger tank as they are quite aggressive to each other when not breeding. Separating them my be required.

For pods, I suggest an attached overflow style refugium to provide a safe place for pods to breed.

Refugium as been attached for a while now. CPR HOB.

I thought about going 30 tall... but could not find one (cheaply).