Mandarin feeding?

[clownfish_reefer]

I have had this mandarin for about more than a month now, I have been providing it pods quite frequently but would like to make the switch over to frozen food as pods are pretty pricy. Bought a breeder box in attempts to try to train the mandarin along with some blood worms and frozen baby brine shrimp. When I fed the blood worms in the main display to my surprise the mandarin actually took it and kept eating them! I thought training was no longer necessary as it was eating frozen but the next day I fed it blood worms again and now it’s just completely ignoring them. Should I proceed with trying to train it or just let it be. Notice it’s been getting skinny so would like to start training asap if needed. Have an order of pods coming in soon.

 

[fishywishy]

I would keep trying different frozen foods, but youll probably need to make a refugium or start a pod culture. If that doesnt work, youll have to rehome it.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

It is in the fishes dna to eat pods, look at their mouth and the way it has developed over generations to perfectly hunt pods. They might try other foods but they will always go back to pods.

 

[Liquid361]

This is why the captive bred ones are such a big deal and sell out so fast. They work out much better.

 

[clownfish_reefer]

It is in the fishes dna to eat pods, look at their mouth and the way it has developed over generations to perfectly hunt pods. They might try other foods but they will always go back to pods.

As pods are their main diet I wasn’t planning on stopping to provide them I would just like to try to get it to eat some other foods too in order to fatten it up. I know they eat pods like crazy on the daily so other food options would be better for me.

 

[clownfish_reefer]

This is why the captive bred ones are such a big deal and sell out so fast. They work out much better.

I see that the eat frozen foods since a very young age which is way easier. I just don’t want to give up on the mandarin so just doing the best I can at the moment.

 

[Thalasstronaut]

I would start a pod culture.

It might be worth throwing together a baby brine feeder as well.

 

[clownfish_reefer]

I would start a pod culture.

It might be worth throwing together a baby brine feeder as well.

Do you have any recommendations for pod culture kits? Preferably something under $50.

 

[Thalasstronaut]

Do you have any recommendations for pod culture kits? Preferably something under $50.

I don’t have any experience with any retail kits. I just culture mine in my sump with home made pod hotels.

 

[AliCell]

Shrimp and zooplankton are quite effective.

 

[clownfish_reefer]

Shrimp and zooplankton are quite effective.

Will try that out. Mysis shrimp?

 

[AliCell]

Will try that out. Mysis shrimp?

Harvest shrimp, preferably alive.

 

[W31Olds]

I have a wild caught adult spotted that's been in a 20 gallon QT for about a month that I target feed bloodworms and adult brine shrimp about 4/5 times a day. I would try the bloodworms again. Mine will usually eat about 6 or seven at a setting. She's the only fish in the tank and I have to turn the pumps and aeration off and get the food right in front of her mouth with a pipet type feeder.

 

[clownfish_reefer]

I have a wild caught adult spotted that's been in a 20 gallon QT for about a month that I target feed bloodworms and adult brine shrimp about 4/5 times a day. I would try the bloodworms again. Mine will usually eat about 6 or seven at a setting. She's the only fish in the tank and I have to turn the pumps and aeration off and get the food right in front of her mouth with a pipet type feeder.

Will try target feeding it more but if it still doesn’t take it do you think I should move it into the breeder box? I was planning on mixing in live pods with frozen food and hopefully it will start taking it.