QT for mandarins?

[Anonymous]

I like the idea of QT in a sterile tank for a while just for the purpose of attempting to train the fish to eat prepared foods. I say "attempt" because it will likely not work, but a hungry mandarin with no pods in sight is a lot more likely to take a peice of mysis shrimp than one in a tank with a full belly.

See Terry's article on Mandarins and he outlines a procedure for training them to eat. It is much easier to target feed in the small tank and to measure if and how much they are taking.

 

[Mihai]

I'm sorry, but C-Quest does not raise mandarin fishes (anymore?):

Hi...
Thanks for inquiring about C-Quest tank raised ornamentals.
We don't have any mandarin fish here at this time and are not raising
them. Sorry...
Katy

-----Original Message-----
>From: Mihai []
>Sent: Friday, January 14, 2005 1:33 PM
>To: [email protected]
>Subject: mandarin fishes?
>
>
>Hi,
>
>I'm looking to buy a pair of mandarin fishes >(either Synchiropus
>splendidus or Synchiropus picturatus) and I heard >that you have some
>tank
>bred (or tank raised) at your facility in Puerto >Rico. Can I get a pair
>from you? How?
>
>Thank you,
>Mihai

Any other ideas?
M.

 

[Anonymous]

So, you think that one week while running copper will do the trick?

M.

I think one week of copper with a Mandarin fish will kill it. Manderins have a very delicate mucousy skin that will most likely start to split open in the presence of copper. This can even happen with clownfish.

Copper is extremely toxic to marine organisms and the only thing that justifies its use is to treat amyloodinium (marine velvet disease -- comparatively uncommon because it is so lethal).

The one good thing about putting a mandarin in a quarantine tank with copper is that the copper will kill it faster than starvation, thus causing it to suffer a bit less.

 

[Mihai]

So, you think that one week while running copper will do the trick?

M.

I think one week of copper with a Mandarin fish will kill it. Manderins have a very delicate mucousy skin that will most likely start to split open in the presence of copper. This can even happen with clownfish.

Copper is extremely toxic to marine organisms and the only thing that justifies its use is to treat amyloodinium (marine velvet disease -- comparatively uncommon because it is so lethal).

The one good thing about putting a mandarin in a quarantine tank with copper is that the copper will kill it faster than starvation, thus causing it to suffer a bit less.

*taking notes*, OK, sooooo.... Is it any other way than what Laura suggested (primed - homey QT with loads of pods)? I'm ready to go Laura's way if no other alternative are offered.

M.

 

[Anonymous]

i would just add the mandarin without quarintine.

i had a mandarin for well over five years and she outlived two ich epidemics.
i have no idea what finally caused the death but i highly doubt it was parasitic.

IIRC, mandarins seldom carry parasites.

 

[Anonymous]

Easy way to QT something like this:

Turn off the pump to your refugium. Put the mandarin in the refugium. Wait 2 months. Add the mandarin to your tank, and turn the pump back on.

Depletes the pods in the refugium, but they quickly bounce back.

 

[danmhippo]

You cannot copper the mandarin. period.

Besides, same as Laura, I would not med a fish if I do not see signs of infection.

I'd also suggest you get pod population in the Q-tank up before you get the mandarin. If you are able to transfer pods from the display to feed the mandarin after the Q-tank pod population depleted would be even better.

Make sure you pay close attention to ammonia and nitrite level in the Q-tank.

Q-tank is also a good time to train them to accept frozen food.

 

[Mihai]

Easy way to QT something like this:

Turn off the pump to your refugium. Put the mandarin in the refugium. Wait 2 months. Add the mandarin to your tank, and turn the pump back on.

Depletes the pods in the refugium, but they quickly bounce back.

Matt, I was thinking about this. My only worry is that I'll have to tear the refugium apart when I'll do this. My refugium is a "display refugiu", that sits just next to the main tank, neatly aquascaped (and since yesterday with an upside-down jellyfish in it!). I'd hate to have to tear it apart.

BTW, do you know how to maximize the pod output in a tank? Should I feed nori? Meat (shrimp/mysis)?

If you are able to transfer pods from the display to feed the mandarin after the Q-tank pod population depleted would be even better.

I was wondering myself how to get a good start on the pods in the QT tank... how do I catch pods? I was thinking turkey baster at night under the moonlights - any other ideas?

M.

 

[Unarce]

I'm sorry, but C-Quest does not raise mandarin fishes (anymore?):

Doh, that sucks. I also read that Red Sea Fish Pharm raises mandarins, but I don't have any contact info for them.

 

[reefmongrel]

I had the same dilemma - a refugium full of pods and a new Mandarin. I chose to dip in fresh R/O (hypotonic) with a few drops of formalin. Left him there for a few minutes - did not wait for signs of distress- and put him in the refugium. Seems to be a happy camper with no ill effect.

 

[HClH2OFish]

IMHO this is one of those fish I'd just drop in the tank unless he were clearly exhibiting signs of illness in the first place.

From all I've read/heard, due to their mucous coat, they are much less susceptible to ich and other nasties, and the risk of losing one of these guys while he's in quarantine isn't one I'd want..

But...just my .02, your mileage may vary