What can I do with that female mandarin?

[daniella3d]

Ok thanks. I really like that female and I have her for nearly 2 years now.

I don't know how long they live.

Originally Posted by Snappy

I had a mated pair and when the male died I replaced it with another and they get along just fine and still spawn on occasion. I wouldn't worry too much.

[BC564]

wow I have never seen that .... amazing

[daniella3d]

Well, today I put the new male in the tank and she immidiatly attacked it a few times. The poor male was displaying to her even during the attack and did not do anything. After a few pass of attack and seing that he was not reacting at all to her attack she stopped and ignored the male after that. hmmm...does not look so good for now...

I thought that when I first introduced the female to my first male there was a bit of fighting like that but I can't remember.

What do you think? is there hope if they are not fighting any longer? The male keep following her everywhere but she does not pay attention to him.

[globaldesigns]

Wow, she is massive! But very beautiful.

I hope things work out, as that fish is a keeper.

[daniella3d]

Yes she is huge. Yesterday her and the new male did the spawning under the moonlight so she did accept that male! But she did not release any eggs though...so are those eggs stuck in there?

I saw them rise at the surface a few times thummy to thummy but still no eggs were released?? why?

[doch]

Give the guy a break! It's his first time!! hahaha

[BlueWorldAquatic]

just wondering, are you sure they are eggs that making her that huge?

Usually eggs are dropped or reabsorbed by the female if a male is not around.

I have never seen a mandarin like that, is she eating fine?

Ken - BWA

[Nano]

I'm a newb to saltwater, but I know with goldfish you can "handspawn" them you know by gently pressing on the belly to extract the eggs, would this possibly work for her if she's in pain or distress? just wondering :P

[daniella3d]

The problem would be to catch her in between the liverock and probably by the time she would be weak enough for me to manage to catch her, it would probably be to late and she would have an infection.

I read that with fresh water fish epsom salt is the only thing that can help (and sometime massage like you are describing) but my magnesium level is already quite high, so not sure that this is working with saltwater fish.

To be honest with you, I would be a bit scared of pushing on her belly the way she looks right now. I have read horror story about a female fish splitting open from having too many eggs and not being able to release them

Originally Posted by nanomano

I'm a newb to saltwater, but I know with goldfish you can "handspawn" them you know by gently pressing on the belly to extract the eggs, would this possibly work for her if she's in pain or distress? just wondering :P

[BlueWorldAquatic]

see if the male helps first, if she's eating ok, it may not be a parasite.

for constipation, frozen peas work too.