Captive Bred Mandarin Sourcing

[CRABDADDY]

I was at a LFS recently and was looking at some of their dragonets. The employee, who seemed generally knowledgeable, told me that the Mandarins were captive bred. I asked if they came from Biota or ORA and he told me they were from another vendor. The fish were larger than the captive bred Mandarins that I've seen before, but they were not full size. Maybe an inch or so long. Are there other companies that are able to aquaculture these fish, or was his information inaccurate? I haven't been able to find resources about it anywhere online.

 

[Unregistered1]

Hmm interested to find out to. Some are so tiny captive bred its almost a joke....a bad one

 

[CRABDADDY]

Personally I don't see the size of the fish as an issue. It's better to captive breed them, increasing the chances of survival and the odds that they'll take to prepared foods. Also they're not pulled out of the ocean, so that's a plus. Besides, I think they look cute when they're so tiny.

 

[Hermie]

I think there are more captive breeders than just biota/ora but if they cant tell you where they came from I would not trust the employee.

 

[OrionN]

I don't think it mater that much, as long as the Mandarin look heathy and free from deformities

 

[Tamberav]

I think the OP may be asking in case a wild Mandarin was being sold as captive bred? Which would increase the price.

 

[OrionN]

I misread the question. I think your intuition is right. I doubt that the breeder would raise the baby to 1 inch size before selling them.

 

[CRABDADDY]

Right, I believe the price of the fish was around $35. Seems like his info may have been incorrect. I may just end up going the safe route and ordering one online. Thanks everyone!

 

[DeniseAndy]

At that price I doubt captive bred. Size too. The bred ones are sold much smaller.

 

[Tchung23]

I have a pair of captive bred. One was pretty small less than 1” and one was 1.5” and looked huge next to the little one.

 

[ChrisB4]

I had a great experience buying mine at Seahorse Savvy. I bought an aquarium conditioned wild caught pair last summer. I have them in a 15 gallon tank with a pair of clowns (that I also purchased at Seahorse Savvy). They are fat and happy eating the same prepared food as the clowns. I occasionally dump in some bbs that I hatch for my dwarf seahorses or a bottle of pods, but those are a supplement, not their main diet.

Fish (Seahorse Safe) – Alyssa's Seahorse Savvy

 

[Hermie]

I had a great experience buying mine at Seahorse Savvy. I bought an aquarium conditioned wild caught pair last summer. I have them in a 15 gallon tank with a pair of clowns (that I also purchased at Seahorse Savvy). They are fat and happy eating the same prepared food as the clowns. I occasionally dump in some bbs that I hatch for my dwarf seahorses or a bottle of pods, but those are a supplement, not their main diet.

Fish (Seahorse Safe) – Alyssa's Seahorse Savvy

2 clowns and 2 mandarins in a 15 gallon tank???????

 

[Zionas]

Sustainable Aquatics might breed them but I’m not sure.

 

[Sabina]

I was at a LFS recently and was looking at some of their dragonets. The employee, who seemed generally knowledgeable, told me that the Mandarins were captive bred. I asked if they came from Biota or ORA and he told me they were from another vendor. The fish were larger than the captive bred Mandarins that I've seen before, but they were not full size. Maybe an inch or so long. Are there other companies that are able to aquaculture these fish, or was his information inaccurate? I haven't been able to find resources about it anywhere online.

Haven’t heard of anyone else. Mine were Biota. Just about 3/4” long. Maybe shorter.
Tank Raise Mandarin Dragonet! Buying fish for the family...OK just me

 

[Hermie]

I just received an ORA Target/spotted Mandarin captive bred and it's super healthy, active and cute. It's less than 1" but is very relaxed and hunting for pods.

 

[Appoloreefer]

At that price I doubt captive bred. Size too. The bred ones are sold much smaller.

Yes captive bred mandarins sell for around $89 from what I have seen online

 

[CRABDADDY]

Yeah, I just ended up getting a blue mandarin from Biota maybe a month ago. He's doing great and growing at a noticable rate. I don't think he actually gets a chance to eat any of the small frozen food that I occasionally add to the tank, but he is constantly eating pods. I'm culturing them in my basement, so he'll have plenty to eat!