Mandarin Eating? (Biota CB)

[PotatoPig]

So I very recently got a Biota Mandarin, along with some other fish. They all arrived and colored back up fairly quickly after acclimating.

My only concern is I’ve not seen the Mandarin take food (TDO B2 or EasyReefs Masstick) in the couple days it’s spent in an acrylic acclimation tank.

OTOH, since releasing it into the DT it’s been going around “kissing” the rockwork. Should I assume every time it does this it’s chomping down a pod?

 

[James M]

Doesn’t always mean it’s eating when it pecks around, shouldn’t be an issue if you have a copepod population in the tank

 

[PotatoPig]

Doesn’t always mean it’s eating when it pecks around, shouldn’t be an issue if you have a copepod population in the tank

Oh, there’s pods in there…

 

[Rick's Reviews]

I tried various foods for mine, my aquriam was full of pods like yours, my mandarin seemed to favour frozen bloodworms and still does now after 3 years but I still regularly add artemia and pods

 

[homer1475]

Biota mandarin pair here. They came in eating TDO, and mastik.

After being in my tank which is loaded with pods, mine never looked at another prepared diet. Even to this day several years later, they still only eat pods.

 

[ReefED!]

How did it go?

Mine don't seem to eat much.

 

[blaxsun]

I've had good results with PE Calanus.

 

[littlefoxx]

So I very recently got a Biota Mandarin, along with some other fish. They all arrived and colored back up fairly quickly after acclimating.

My only concern is I’ve not seen the Mandarin take food (TDO B2 or EasyReefs Masstick) in the couple days it’s spent in an acrylic acclimation tank.

OTOH, since releasing it into the DT it’s been going around “kissing” the rockwork. Should I assume every time it does this it’s chomping down a pod?

Yeah most likely eating and hunting pods, Ive got wild caught ones not biotas.

 

[littlefoxx]

Biota mandarin pair here. They came in eating TDO, and mastik.

After being in my tank which is loaded with pods, mine never looked at another prepared diet. Even to this day several years later, they still only eat pods.

Yeah thats very common for them! Also theres research suggesting the captive bread foods actually is detrimental to their health down the road and they dont live as long on frozen food.

 

[John Neuzil]

Yeah thats very common for them! Also theres research suggesting the captive bread foods actually is detrimental to their health down the road and they dont live as long on frozen food.

Where can we find this research. I haven't found any suggesting that.

 

[blaxsun]

Where can we find this research. I haven't found any suggesting that.

I wouldn't worry about it. Their lifespan in captivity is probably greater than in the wild anyway, and I don't think we're talking night and day between frozen vs. pods. Besides, there are always going to be pods present - and they're always going to supplement their diet with pods (they eat like 23/7).

 

[John Neuzil]

I wouldn't worry about it. Their lifespan in captivity is probably greater than in the wild anyway, and I don't think we're talking night and day between frozen vs. pods. Besides, there are always going to be pods present - and they're always going to supplement their diet with pods (they eat like 23/7).

I totally agree. Just curious where this research is.

 

[ReefED!]

I've had good results with PE Calanus.

Mine are ignoring calanus but they may be a little small for it

I'll post some pictures later - they don't seem ultra skinny and sunken so they must be doing reasonably ok.

 

[blaxsun]

Mine are ignoring calanus but they may be a little small for it

I'll post some pictures later - they don't seem ultra skinny and sunken so they must be doing reasonably ok.

It wasn't an instant hit with mine, either - but I had two that eventually went it (then everything else) after repeat feedings.