Mandarin

[JRLBRENNAN]

I have an ora mandarin about 3 weeks now he won't eat anything I was told he ate mysis brine and blood worms won't touch any

 

[ruha456]

Better get a bottle of copepods ASAP

 

[JRLBRENNAN]

Do u think he will eat them y do they say he eats everything

 

[ruha456]

If that's what they said and its not eating what they said I'd get a refund. But if u wanna keep em then copepods is they way to go. Only thing is mandarins eat pods like crazy so your gonna need to have plenty as they are constantly eating them.

 

[Jan]

How old is your tank? You may have pods in there already. Is it picking at the rocks? I would definately add more pods. Did you see it eat in the store? Always ask them to show you that it is eating before you buy one that is labeled an ORA Mandarin. ORA's are more expensive than the regular Mandarins. Not saying you were taken, just saying it's best to treat all purchases the same to avoid any issues later.

Oh, and if it's still alive after 3 weeks, it is eating. Has it gotten bigger?

 

[KurtL]

Sounds like you were taken. Demand your money back. Pretty easy to get a regular one than charge double for it saying its ORA.

 

[JRLBRENNAN]

Tank running 2 yrs till about 2 mnths ago when I had an emergency and had to get a new tank used all same Sand rock and water when switched

 

[Jan]

Ok so everything in the tank is established. Still add pods. If it is active and grazing, and you see it picking at rocks then it is eating. Add more pods to be on the safe side. Make sure it is gaining weight.

Tank running 2 yrs till about 2 mnths ago when I had an emergency and had to get a new tank used all same Sand rock and water when switched

 

[rookie07]

Ive never heard a success story with an ORA mandarin. They generally stop eating frozen once they start eating pods.
If your tank is less than 100 gallons you will not have enough pods to keep it well fed (unless you have a large sump that is able to supply pods to DT).
You can train it to eat pellets (search on here for threads about training mandarins).

Also, most fish eat pods (and at a faster rate than mandarins). Do not waste your money on bottled pods (like painting over a leak, pointless).

 

[rookie07]

Sounds like you were taken. Demand your money back. Pretty easy to get a regular one than charge double for it saying its ORA.

I doubt that!

 

[KurtL]

you doubt what

 

[Jan]

I agree with some of this but from personal experience I've kept two mandarins in a well stock 55 gallon for several years without a sump over 20 years ago. I never dosed pods. Over twenty years later I have another pair which I introduced into my 75 gallon w/no issues and now they are in a 156. Having an refugium; in-tank, under cabinet or HOB and/or a sump does help alot.

Ive never heard a success story with an ORA mandarin. They generally stop eating frozen once they start eating pods.
If your tank is less than 100 gallons you will not have enough pods to keep it well fed (unless you have a large sump that is able to supply pods to DT).
You can train it to eat pellets (search on here for threads about training mandarins).

Also, most fish eat pods (and at a faster rate than mandarins). Do not waste your money on bottled pods (like painting over a leak, pointless).

 

[Paul B]

My mandarins spawn all the time as they are doing here. But they eat pods and my tank is old and not very sterile.