Mandarin feeding
- Thread starter PeterEde
- Start date
- Tagged users None
I’ve read a few “purist” aren’t to keen on feeding mandarins prepared/frozen foods…I think the thought is diet deficiency or whatever…
I have two in each in thier own barebottom tanks and have been feeding chopped raw seafood and frozen my sis for a few years now ….
I’m thinking you have a win
I have two in each in thier own barebottom tanks and have been feeding chopped raw seafood and frozen my sis for a few years now ….
I’m thinking you have a win
OP
OP
I load up on pods too which she hunts. But brine has her fattened up compared to when I got her.
Just happy to see her take something else without my assistance. She found it herself
Uriken
Active Member
The fact that its eating is a win in my opinion! They are beautiful little bottom fish but can be finicky especially when the pod culture gets sparse. Your on track to have a nice long relationship with it. Best of luck!
Koh23
Valuable Member
Sorry for hijacking topic, today my "lfs", offered me mandarin, Synchiropus splendidus,with claim that he eats flatworms.....
Newer heard that, is it true, does it realy eat flatworms, i know that pod population is mandatroy but flatworms??
Newer heard that, is it true, does it realy eat flatworms, i know that pod population is mandatroy but flatworms??
Uriken
Active Member
When the flatworms are in the starting stage (small) I witnessed this as well when I was working in a Saltwater shop. Once they got larger they wouldn't bother with them. With Flatworms being a bad thing to have in the tank I wouldn't buy a mandarin just to help remove them if that is what your looking for. There are some better fish options (some wrasse types) that can help. Mainly pods are their primary diet unless your purchasing one from ORA or BIOTA where they raise them from babies and will eat frozen Mysis / Brine shrimp.
OP
OP
Thanks mate. She's a
OP
OP
Pods not mandatory if it takes brine or other food at lfs.
Mine was in the store for a month and was taking food. Made it easier.
She knows what the pipette is for
Purists in anything are usually wrong and in an echo chamber. What diet deficiency? I have always wondered this. People say it all the time but then can’t tell me what the difference between high quality frozen food and pods are nutritionally. Hopefully someone who sees this can explain it a bit better.
OP
OP
Pods or brine are fats and protein plus other coodness. I fail to see a problem
Exactly. I feed mine lrs which I would imagine is very similar in proteins and vitamins to a copepod. I do have tons of pods in my tank so mine does get a really good balanced diet between the two. Im sure there is some difference but I have yet to have someone tell me exactly what that difference is.
This is just my own theory but if they are eating lots of frozen food that probably amounts to a similar amount of food as grazing on pods all day. Especially if broken up multiple times per day. If that is true and the nutrition is similar enough then there shouldn’t be any problems with a Mandarin just eating frozen food so long as it eats enough. I’m no expert though so maybe I’m overlooking something and wrong. Glad to hear you got yours on frozen not always an easy task.
OP
OP
I hand feed once a day. Rest of the time she's hunting pods. I see her pick and eat. Probably not enough pods in my tank so I give the brine. She was showing bone when I got her. She now looks nice and healthy
ZombieEngineer
Valuable Member
There is an argument for frozen being bad if it's completely in lieu of pods. They do need the nutrients from the pods shells and if you gave them all frozen and no pods at all that could be bad. But giving them supplemental feeding to make sure they are getting fed well in addition to the pods can only be positive. Anyone who tells you supplementing frozen is bad for a mandarin is an ****** with a stick up their *** no different than the guys who are still convinced that only MH can grow coral.
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