Does my mandarin seem to be growing?

[_cpate3_]

About 2 months ago I purchased a mandarin dragonet completely emaciated in hopes of bringing it back to health and fattening it up. I cannot tell if he is physically growing or not because I look at him every single day. But what I do know is I feed freshly hatched brine using a paulB feeder, and because of it he hasn’t decimated the pod population and there’s plenty available. Behaviorally I’ve noticed a stride for him recently. He’s done hiding and sitting all day and instead zooms around the tank not bothered by the other fish. As well I seem him actively hunting and catching pods all day. The coloration is gorgeous still as well. I know that they can take months to starve, but I hope someone can tell me if he’s on an upward trend with some before and after pics

When I got him:

Today:

Let me know if you need some better pictures to tell, but what I see is a more rounded face and cheek (if fish have those) area than before. He’s definitely still really skinny, but I just hope he’s doing well

 

[Sophie"s mom]

Not sure about growth per say, but he is certainly quite a bit more plump!!

 

[_cpate3_]

Not sure about growth per say, but he is certainly quite a bit more plump!!

Thats what I'm looking for, need to fatten him up!

 

[Uncle99]

The Mandarin is a real slow growing fish, mines 3 years old and maybe grown and inch.

If he’s actively hunting and pecking, he’s fine, but is best to make him the only exclusive pod eater in the tank to ensure food supply.

Good luck

 

[_cpate3_]

The Mandarin is a real slow growing fish, mines 3 years old and maybe grown and inch.

If he’s actively hunting and pecking, he’s fine, but is best to make him the only exclusive pod eater in the tank to ensure food supply.

Good luck

I should’ve rephrased, does he look plumper? I know they’re slow growing but I’m more looking for if it’s starving itself or on a comeback? And yes he is the only pod eater in the tank, I purposefully did not get a wrasse as much as I wanted to so that he could. Beautiful target though that you for sharing!

 

[Uncle99]

I should’ve rephrased, does he look plumper? I know they’re slow growing but I’m more looking for if it’s starving itself or on a comeback? And yes he is the only pod eater in the tank, I purposefully did not get a wrasse as much as I wanted to so that he could. Beautiful target though that you for sharing!

He looks way better than the first pic, which is what most look like in LFS.

The easiest fish I’ve ever kept.

May cruise the top at night and can jump.

Enjoy

 

[_cpate3_]

He looks way better than the first pic, which is what most look like in LFS.

The easiest fish I’ve ever kept.

May cruise the top at night and can jump.

Enjoy

That first picture was the first week I had it it was the only fish in the tank before I upgraded my nano

 

[twentyleagues]

He didnt look terrible when you got him but he looks much better now. I've seen really bad ones, yours looked average.

 

[_cpate3_]

He didnt look terrible when you got him but he looks much better now. I've seen really bad ones, yours looked average.

To me it was shocking how skinny it was, online you see all the healthy mandarins and it’s a shock to see one emaciated for the first time

 

[twentyleagues]

To me it was shocking how skinny it was, online you see all the healthy mandarins and it’s a shock to see one emaciated for the first time

I've been to some sketchy lfs. Also I've been in and out of the hobby since before they were being bred so yeah I've seen some bad ones. Since I've been back the better lfs in the area are getting them from Biota or ORA so they are small but healthy and more expensive. Used to be able to get them for around $30 now they are almost always at least $90, could be inflation but I think its from the captive breeding.