[GQ22]

having them grow is a good sign, so dont sweat it too much, obviously clean it off thje front glass. I got a mandarin that picks at these guys. one mandarin per tank is good in my opinion

[Deanos]

One mandarin per tank would be good, if, the following criteria were met:

• The mandarin eats prepared food or,
• The tank is mature with a sustainable population of live food (copepods, amphipods, etc) and
• No aggresive fish competing for the same food (blennies, wrasses & gobies)

Other than that, mandarins are great!

[nyguardian21]

yup i got them on the front, just finished cycling my tank so i didnt clean the front glass just let algae and whatever was there grow until everything went normal and then i see i have these little things. now they are mostly wisible on the black background. no mandarin for me unless someone has one thats eats commercial or frozen foods.

[nyguardian21]

got crapload of pods in the tank and fuge but not risking a mandarin

Life is too precious!!!!!!!

[masterswimmer]

Quote: Originally Posted by nyguardian21 got crapload of pods in the tank and fuge but not risking a mandarin Life is too precious!!!!!!!

How big is your tank? How many lbs of LR do you have? Mandarins are beautiful and can be maintained with relative ease in a MATURE tank. I've got one in my 75 with 130 lbs of LR. Never seen him lose weight and always looks plump. AND, I have a pipefish that eats only pods also. They both are doing great. Your patience, equipment (LR & tank size), stocking selection and husbandry will determine the success of keeping a mandarin.

Russ

[griMReefer]

Quote: Originally Posted by masterswimmer How big is your tank? How many lbs of LR do you have? Mandarins are beautiful and can be maintained with relative ease in a MATURE tank. I've got one in my 75 with 130 lbs of LR. Never seen him lose weight and always looks plump. AND, I have a pipefish that eats only pods also. They both are doing great. Your patience, equipment (LR & tank size), stocking selection and husbandry will determine the success of keeping a mandarin. Russ

i agree. you just gotta give a mandarin INDIVIDUAL attention at first, which some folks with multiple fish can't do. you will need to put the food like brine shrimp directly around them, like you would for seahorses or pipefish, since other fishes compete and they are slow, picky grazers.

you can even make a pair (sexes fairly easy to tell apart) then they will look so nice grazing together.

anyway, has anyone here successfully had snails (astrea, turbo, margarita) reproduce and yield in their tank???

[Deanos]

Quote: Originally Posted by griMReefer has anyone here successfully had snails (astrea, turbo, margarita) reproduce and yield in their tank???

I have. I'm waiting for the babies to grow, so I can identify which species.

Post #

[jenniebutterfly]

if you want baby snails, get collonista (sp?) and stomatella. your snail populations will explode. i might have some for the swap if i go again

[masterswimmer]

Quote: Originally Posted by griMReefer i agree. you just gotta give a mandarin INDIVIDUAL attention at first, which some folks with multiple fish can't do. you will need to put the food like brine shrimp directly around them, like you would for seahorses or pipefish, since other fishes compete and they are slow, picky grazers.

I never once spot fed my mandarin or pipefish. They went in my tank and started doing what they do naturally, search for food. Hence the need for a mature tank.

I agree with Jennie, stomatella's reproduce like in my tank.

Russ

[griMReefer]

Quote: Originally Posted by jenniebutterfly if you want baby snails, get collonista (sp?) and stomatella. your snail populations will explode. i might have some for the swap if i go again

oh cool jennie that's cool!