Getting my Mandarin Goby more food

TiffanyBeams · Apr 30, 2023

We recently just bought a Mandarin Goby. The store who sold it to my husband didn’t really give much info on it. It was brought to our attention that he might not be getting enough food. I was watching him tonight and did notice he was making the motion with his mouth that he was eating. I was also watching YouTube videos on how to know if he was eating. I saw one video that the person switched his Mandarin to blood worms and cut out the copepods all together over time. Is this possible? I’m an over worrier and this tank is stressful! I don’t want the thing to die. We are willing to try anything to help him. All while trying to deal with a butthole Wrasse who keeps chasing my Clownfish away from the rocks to avoid any potential issues with him we are trying to catch him and just get it out of the tank.

Mr. Mojo Rising · Apr 30, 2023

What size is the tank, and how old is the tank?

The oneness is on us to do the research before we purchase, cannot rely on the LFS to advise all info.

They eat copepods mainly, I doubt it is possible to completely cut out copepods, they have developed over generations to eat specifically copepods, so its always a chance and a hope that the fish will eat other food.

If you have a large, mature tank, then it should be able to get enough to eat. If you have a small, newer tank, then you might be better off to return it.

Propane · Apr 30, 2023

Captive bred mandarins are easier to deal with. If it was me and I was dead set on keeping it I’d get on a monthly copepod subscription and ensure the little guy has a ton of hiding spots. If it was wild caught ( I don’t know if that’s still a thing) I wouldn’t try and switch it’s food. I’ve seen far more people fail than succeed.

TiffanyBeams · Apr 30, 2023

LordofCinder said:
What size is the tank, and how old is the tank?

The oneness is on us to do the research before we purchase, cannot rely on the LFS to advise all info.

They eat copepods mainly, I doubt it is possible to completely cut out copepods, they have developed over generations to eat specifically copepods, so its always a chance and a hope that the fish will eat other food.

If you have a large, mature tank, then it should be able to get enough to eat. If you have a small, newer tank, then you might be better off to return it.

It’s a 55 gallon. We’ve had it for almost a year now. We have copepods growing in the back on the glass. I would assume then they are there for him to eat. Every time he’s out his little mouth is a moving. I might be over reacting, but I just want to make sure he has enough or if I should attempt to try to train him to eat blood worms.

bradreef · Apr 30, 2023

TiffanyBeams said:
It’s a 55 gallon. We’ve had it for almost a year now. We have copepods growing in the back on the glass. I would assume then they are there for him to eat. Every time he’s out his little mouth is a moving. I might be over reacting, but I just want to make sure he has enough or if I should attempt to try to train him to eat blood worms.

Only fullproof thing you can do is buy pods. Tisbe will seed the tank, tigrio will provide immediate food