Paddy's Mandarin Paradise

[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).

[Myka]

I was thinking more like a "tower" style tank. Like 18x18x30". Petsmart carries something similar, not sure if it is big enough...I think the Petsmart ones are more like 12x12x18" which would have too small of a footprint.

Are there some big pods in the refugium yet?

[paddyob]

Originally Posted by Myka

I was thinking more like a "tower" style tank. Like 18x18x30". Petsmart carries something similar, not sure if it is big enough...I think the Petsmart ones are more like 12x12x18" which would have too small of a footprint.

Are there some big pods in the refugium yet?

a 30 tall is L24, H24, W12 . . . . I have a limited area for this tank... and a stand built for the foot print.

[Myka]

Originally Posted by paddyob

a 30 tall is L24, H24, W12 . . . . I have a limited area for this tank... and a stand built for the foot print.

It appears that 24" is enough height for those breeding Mandarins.