How to get ready for a mandarin?

[dmann]

I want to get a mandarin goby for my 60g rimless cube. Going 9 mnths strong. I dont have a refugium. And not a whole lot of room in my sump its 18x18x18. What can i do to keep pods going or any advice would be great. Thanks

 

[Daniel@R2R Verified Admin]

Hmm...I'd say lots of live rock in the DT would help. I think you could possibly still keep either some LR rubble or a VERY small fuge in your sump. I actually built a DIY box out of eggcrate and used it as a fuge for a while. You might consider something like that. Even dropping one of those bath sponges (see pic) can be a good place for pods to grow (I'd put it in the sump...not the DT. LOL)

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[erk]

I have a scooter dragonet in my 29 gal, going on 4 or 5 months now. While I have a refugium and a large amount of rock in my tank, the little guy really hammers on the pod population. Because of this I order a 1200 pack of pods from getyourpods.com about every couple of months. I'm lucky in that my little guy loves frozen and pellets as well.

 

[dmann]

Can i make a lil box with and keep chaeto in it? Would that work?

 

[erk]

Yeah, that would be a place for the pods to hide and reproduce, but I think you will still have to supplement their diet with something. The little guys are always on the hunt for food. You can look into training the mandarin to take frozen foods.

 

[dmann]

Wonder if i could get an lfs to order one and get it to eat frozen before i get it. How often do you feed them other than the pods?

 

[erk]

I feed Rods foods everyday. Sometimes I miss a feeding and my scooter gets mad.

 

[dmann]

I ordered one from the lfs. He said he would get it eating frozen for me before i pick it up. Awesome guy. Im still going to seed the tank bit now its just that little extra bit i dont have to worry sbout

 

[MrsSmartyPants]

Mine will eat pods, but she also eats:
Cyclop-Eeze and rotifiers.


Frozen Aquarium Fish Food: San Francisco Bay Brand Frozen Rotifers