Mandarin advice

[ReefRookie22]

So, 2 weeks ago I bought a captive bred mandarin. She's about 1 inch long and has been in an isolation box (both in the store and in my tank). She's always been fed on copepod liquid and is eating well. My question isn't around eating as I'm aware of the challenges.
My question is when/how should I introduce her to my tank?
Should I wait and try and get her onto pellets/mysis (she's pecked at Hikari S once or twice). Are there any risks for her staying in there longer term?
As she is so small is there a risk of her being picked on or will her general unpalatability prevent that?
Is there a good way/time to introduce her? Nighttime?
Any advice appreciated.

 

[Should I]

mandarins can be picked on i have never had a mandarin but at my LFS i saw a dwarf angel rip every single fin off the mandarin i informed the LFS of this and they removed the mandarin

 

[ReefRookie22]

Thanks, I did have an idea to introduce her to the thank but keep the acclimation box as kind of a sanctuary that she can return to.

 

[Should I]

Thanks, I did have an idea to introduce her to the thank but keep the acclimation box as kind of a sanctuary that she can return to.

what fish do you have?

 

[ReefRookie22]

what fish do you have?

X2 Ocellaris
Midas blenny
Filamented flasher wrasse
Yasha goby who never leaves it's rock.

 

[bradreef]

Ide just release close to lights out. Most fish ignore mandarin's.

 

[coralmonsters.judy Verified Sponsor]

I agree with bradreef. Turn the lights off for 24 hours and release her into the system.

 

[areefer01]

You mentioned captive bred/raised. It should already be eating prepared food as that is what they are fed. In any case you can also turn off the lights during the day and release it. An hour or two won't hurt and it will give it a bit of time to explore and find a suitable place to retreat, sleep, and rest.

They will forage throughout the day as that is what they do. Slow and methodical. Looks like you have some fish that may compete with its preferred food source. Make sure it is eating quality frozen foods and dry to be safe. Especially if this is a young display.

Good luck.

 

[W31Olds]

My WC Mandarin will eat TDO Chromaboost small pellets even though I have Pods in my DT. For small fish you may have lightly crush the pellets and must target feed also. Captive bred is a good start.

 

[ReefRookie22]

So I put my mandarin in the tank. She's been chilling on the sand bed all afternoon. Looked just now and she was sat on my wavemaker!!
Now a bit worried she's going to blend herself. I've shooed her off and now she's picking at copepods on the rockwork.
Should I turn the powerhead off? I don't want her to get used to exploring it while it's off. It's got a nem guard on but there are still tiny gaps she might be able to squeeze through if she's determined to get smoothied.

 

[Üter]

Mandarins are poisonous so any fish that can fit it in its mouth would meet their end. Mine was 3/8" when I got her and was afraid since it would fit in my jawfish mouth but went in pool and chanced it. She is now 1.5" at least and doing great. was raised on frozen and eats pellets and pods as well. she's plump but very camera shy. She was also ORA though.

 

[Jackalope12]

My mandarins crawl right into my semi aggressive skunk clown's cave (tank 1). And my other mandarin chills with my fire shrimp (tank 2)

I have watched both the clown and shrimp chase other fish away and they do not ever give the mandarins more than a glance.