Hoping to get a Mandarin

[case54]

Hello,

I am new to reefing and have a 55 gallon tank. I really wanted a mandarin when I first started, but thought it might be impractical. Now I have had my tank for 10 months, and learned what refugiums are. I have at least 20lbs of live rock and my parameters are steady. I have a royal gramma, 2 clown fish, 2 cardinals, a pistol shrimp, and a watchman goby. Do you think it is practical for me to get one? I was hoping to maybe use one of those porous refugiums that you put in the tank. Or do you think that wouldn’t be able to sustain enough pods? Thanks in advance!

 

[Fish Fan]

Welcome to Reef2Reef!

#WelcometoR2R

You can try to grow 'pods in a refugium inside the tank (check out a 'Pod Hotel) or you can use a Hang On Back refugium, you can even DIY one out of a HOB filter, like an AquaClear.

You can buy or grow your own 'pods and add them regularly to keep the population in your tank going strong for the Mandarin.

And last, consider purchasing a tank-raised Mandarin from Biota Marine, these fish are already conditioned to eat prepared foods like pellets, so they are said to be much easier to feed vs. wild caught fish that will only eat 'pods.

And you'll for sure want Biota's Mandarin shorts:
https://shop.thebiotagroup.com/search?type=product&q=mandarin*

Good luck!