Advanced: Smallest Tank for Mandarin QT

[RamsReef]

Hello,

My Mandarin needs to go through QT before getting into the DT. It is currently in a large tank by itself eating pods and eggs/frozen.

As I work out of town my wife needs to look after the fish during QT.

What size tank do you think I can get away with, with sponge filter, for 30 days of QT.

Note: I will move back into other tank if it stops eating, thank you for your concern. I'm looking for people who have actually housed a Mandarin in a small tank for QT or other purposes, not for opinions.

I was thinking a 2.5 gal.

 

[geddavis]

I QT my manderin in a 10 gallon with nearly 40 pounds of rock coverd in copepods and critters. I think plenty of good hiding places and lots of food are the most important things. My manderin was only 1 and 1/2 inch long. For a mid sized manderin a 20 should work fine. Just remember plenty of light and food.

 

[RamsReef]

To clarify,

I'm QTing in CP, metro, prazi.

Only going to be feeding frozen and maybe live brine, if my wife is willing.

 

[mort]

If it is taking frozen then the size of the tank is less important. If it is merely taking a little frozen but mainly being sustained on live food then you still need a good area for it to forage. So I'd first check to make sure it's taking frozen happily and base your tank size on that.
If you have a slightly bigger tank I would go for that. 2.5g will be a struggle to keep stable especially with heavy feedings or uneaten food, not to mention swings in temp and salinity. If your wife is new to this by going as large as seems sensible you will be helping her out.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

If it is taking frozen then the size of the tank is less important. If it is merely taking a little frozen but mainly being sustained on live food then you still need a good area for it to forage. So I'd first check to make sure it's taking frozen happily and base your tank size on that.
If you have a slightly bigger tank I would go for that. 2.5g will be a struggle to keep stable especially with heavy feedings or uneaten food, not to mention swings in temp and salinity. If your wife is new to this by going as large as seems sensible you will be helping her out.

Great point @mort . It’s not only going to be some size for room to wander,but being sure the biological filter can handle the load . would be a bit easier with the extra volume to dilute the waste and maintain consistent levels

If you able post a pix. I always love them. I just don’t have the pods to keep them