Mandarin feeding

[spamvicious]

I’ve just acquired a green spotted mandarin from a friend. I have dosed about 500ml of copepods in the last couple of months to try let them populate a bit.

I saw the mandarin nibbling at the rock already (only added him/her an hour before this) I was surprised at how confident it was so I tried it with some frozen brine shrimp which it ate a little of.

So how much should I be feeding? I’m planning to continue adding copepods and possibly get a culture kit. But as it’s eating the brine shrimp, how much should I feed and how often?

 

[JohnTheReefer]

Congrats on acquiring a mandarin that will eat frozen food! With any dragonette having multiple feeding options is great.

"how much should I feed and how often?"

If the mandarin underweight feed 3-4 times a day until if gets back to a healthy weight. Once at a healthy weight 1-2 times a day will suffice plus making sure the pod population is kept up. If the pod population is not thriving add more live rock to the tank. More rock = more pods.

 

[spamvicious]

Congrats on acquiring a mandarin that will eat frozen food! With any dragonette having multiple feeding options is great.

"how much should I feed and how often?"

If the mandarin underweight feed 3-4 times a day until if gets back to a healthy weight. Once at a healthy weight 1-2 times a day will suffice plus making sure the pod population is kept up. If the pod population is not thriving add more live rock to the tank. More rock = more pods.

Excuse the heavy blues but I think it’s a good weight currently?

 

[Maritimer]

He seems nicely rounded and healthy - on some of them, you can just about see the skeleton because their flesh is so pinched.

~B.

 

[JohnTheReefer]

I agree it is healthy :)

 

[spamvicious]

Today it’s hanging around a lot near the top of the tank is that normal?

 

[spamvicious]

I’ve been feeding twice a day and will continue to add pods. However I have to go away for a few days and won’t be able to feed directly. I can feed twice on the Sunday but won’t be back until Wednesday.

I’m going to order more copepods to throw in but how many bags is enough to make sure it doesn’t go hungry while I’m away even if it’s technically two and a half days?.

 

[JohnTheReefer]

Today it’s hanging around a lot near the top of the tank is that normal?

May be hunting some critters up there!

 

[JohnTheReefer]

I’ve been feeding twice a day and will continue to add pods. However I have to go away for a few days and won’t be able to feed directly. I can feed twice on the Sunday but won’t be back until Wednesday.

I’m going to order more copepods to throw in but how many bags is enough to make sure it doesn’t go hungry while I’m away even if it’s technically two and a half days?.

Adding one bag before you travel should be sufficient.

 

[Uncle99]

Today it’s hanging around a lot near the top of the tank is that normal?

Yep, my surfs the top edge before moving down.

 

[Uncle99]

Food availability for mandarin depends on tank size, % of rock, and how many exclusive pod eaters are housed.

Have not fed mine ever in 3+ years.
He is the only exclusive pod eater in my 180g full of rock.

Smaller volume tanks are a bit harder.