Keeping multiple dragonets, possible???
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mfinn
likes zoanthids
It might possible, ( if the 2 mandarins were of opposite sex) but not in a 15 gallon tank.
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nanomania
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Planning a bigger setup, i have a 24x24x18, will add a back sump, and making a diy drine hatcher for nauplii, almost like unlimited supply. Plus a pod culture external. I have a crazy idea, just dont want any aggression.
eatbreakfast
Fish Nerd
Each dragonet will need 50g of system space devoted per fish, that has been established 6+ months for adequate pod population.
mfinn
likes zoanthids
IMO even that is too small.
These fish graze all day long.
You would have to do many feedings a day, every day,, day after day.
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nanomania
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Currently im feeding my single male mandarin in a 15g nauplii everyday, and pods that once a week from my pods culture tank. Looks nice and fat. All i do is remove the chaeto from the pod culture tank, and put that in the 15g tank once a week.
However since mandarins require a continuous supply, i have 1.5year old reef setup, so i can use some of the rocks from that setup, and add a new fresh liverock, let it cure for a month along with old mature rocks.
Filteration will only be chaeto in refugium, and macros like feather caulerpa, mangroves, etc in the display.
As for number of mandarins, i think ill stick with only 2 max (blue green and a red scooter or a female bluegreen), and add 2-3 pipefishs instead.
Feeding will be PaulB style brine feeder for nauplii (currently doing that), pods will still be cultured outside in a seperate tank, and Aquaforest phytomix will be added for the pods in refugium. Also im planning reverse style filteration, so pods dont go through the return pump.
Will also try training the fishes on frozen food asap.
Here is the Paul B style nauplii feeder im using, working great as of now.
However since mandarins require a continuous supply, i have 1.5year old reef setup, so i can use some of the rocks from that setup, and add a new fresh liverock, let it cure for a month along with old mature rocks.
Filteration will only be chaeto in refugium, and macros like feather caulerpa, mangroves, etc in the display.
As for number of mandarins, i think ill stick with only 2 max (blue green and a red scooter or a female bluegreen), and add 2-3 pipefishs instead.
Feeding will be PaulB style brine feeder for nauplii (currently doing that), pods will still be cultured outside in a seperate tank, and Aquaforest phytomix will be added for the pods in refugium. Also im planning reverse style filteration, so pods dont go through the return pump.
Will also try training the fishes on frozen food asap.
Here is the Paul B style nauplii feeder im using, working great as of now.
In my 600 gallon two fight anytime they cross paths. They latch onto each other’s mouths and shake each other around. I’ve seen it go on for more than 30 minutes before I broke them up before. IMO multiple specimens with the same body shape is a bad idea and completely unfair to the fish.
2 males. Male and female would be ok. I wish I hadn’t got the second male and I have a big tank so I thought it wouldn’t be a big deal but I was wrong. I wouldn’t do it again and really don’t recommend anyone else. If they fight in 600 gallons they’ll just fight that much more in a smaller tank. I haven’t noticed any issues between my dragonettes and my scooters, I think the body shape is different enough that they don’t pay each other much attention.
I have known others who had difficulty with a spotted/target mandarin coexisting in the same tank as a psychedelic. Their spotted would chase the psychedelic mandarin around the tank constantly, to the point where 1 mandarin had to be rehomed in another tank. In each case the tanks were larger 180, 300 gal etc. I saw a small spotted mandy chase a very large male psychedelic.
Read this thread:
www.reef2reef.com/threads/target-mandarin-pair.344120/#post-4284181
Read this thread:
www.reef2reef.com/threads/target-mandarin-pair.344120/#post-4284181
Rispa
Valuable Member
I think it could be done with enough rock work, having your tank planted, and multiple feeding stations. I'm planning to try something like this in the future. The tank will be established, I will be raising my own food including mysis, and I plan to have multiple feeding stations on top of that. I say give it a go, just plan carefully. These guys are always in demand so if it doesn't work out rehoming the ones you need to shouldn't be a problem.
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