Any tips on where to obtain captive bred mandarinfish/dragonet?

[mandyplo]

Originally Posted by paddyob

I have heard mixed reviews on captive bred mandarins. They are bloody expensive for one.

No guarantee they will do any better. I had talked to a local LFS that brought them in once from ORA I "think" and they said they would never again.

Thanks paddy. The green spotted that I linked was from ORA also. Maybe I will just try my hand at a wild caught one as I feel they would do fine in my copepod filled tank anyways if I had trouble getting them to eat prepared foods. Any tips on where I could purchase a mandarin then period, tank raised or not?

[ckmullin]

Originally Posted by mandyplo

Thanks paddy. The green spotted that I linked was from ORA also. Maybe I will just try my hand at a wild caught one as I feel they would do fine in my copepod filled tank anyways if I had trouble getting them to eat prepared foods. Any tips on where I could purchase a mandarin then period, tank raised or not?

I've seen in at least 1 LFS here in Calgary. Dunno if they ship or stuff like that. If you want I'll pm you their details.

[paddyob]

One last thing. How big is your system? You need a good sized tank. If what I understand is your tank is new, wait. Until at least 6 months. In anything under say 40-50 gallons the Mandy will obliterate your pods. If you have never had one before, research. Research. Then research some more.

Even captive bred, I was told, revert back to pods from prepared over time. So if you lose your pods you lose the fish.

Green spotted are, however, much hardier than greens. I had a green
In the past eat frozen everyday. But my green would not touch it.

Spotted will also feed on flatworms in your tank. Which is great.

[darb]

J and L has mandarins in, not sure if they are ORA, but they did just get an ORA order in ...