Mandarin Help!!
- Thread starter Baby Ray
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It is really hard when you want so much to help your fish survive & thrive! Try not to "hover" too much near the tank. That can stress the fish too. Think about what you need to do while it is in QT...
Always make your movements slow and deliberate.
Since it is in QT you can try a simple version of the feeders suggested (like a submerged jar). Maybe try slowly blowing food from the baster into the jar.
Try to observe the fish from a distance. For example - if you have a pair of binoculars watch it from the doorway. A friend of mine who quarantines fish regularly (for tanks he sets up) suggests feeding and leaving the tank.
You are doing everything you can. But limiting your observations will be less stressful for the fish (and you too).
- Test water levels
- Siphon out old food
- Add food
Always make your movements slow and deliberate.
Since it is in QT you can try a simple version of the feeders suggested (like a submerged jar). Maybe try slowly blowing food from the baster into the jar.
Try to observe the fish from a distance. For example - if you have a pair of binoculars watch it from the doorway. A friend of mine who quarantines fish regularly (for tanks he sets up) suggests feeding and leaving the tank.
You are doing everything you can. But limiting your observations will be less stressful for the fish (and you too).
I know the risks, but I do not quarantine mandarins. And if she does not eat there is not much you can do. I have a male and female in my 65 Red Sea tank. I use Paul B's feeder with newly hatched brine shrimp every day. If you buy the dish might I recommend buying two? Then you can hatch new ones daily. And add tigger pods every few months and they both started eating marine cuisine and live black worms on their own. The male I bought because he was really skinny. But he ate as soon as I introduced him to my tank. Stayed right on one of Paul B's feeders for weeks. :) But another male I tried to rescue refused to eat, and then died. Please check for ammonia daily in your quarantine tank and treat accordingly if needed. My mandarins have been with me for almost 2 years now. The female is full of eggs quite often. They both love the live black worms, I target feed them with a long baster. They may have eaten them earlier but I never tried it. These are my personal experiences, others may differ.
Shelley
Shelley
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I order live California black worms online. If you do I can give information on how to best keep them alive. I live in Wyoming. I order most things online. And I see someone mentioned lights. Good idea.
Shelley
Shelley
themcnertney
Valuable Member
It probably will not accept frozen...ever. I'd ditch the QT and move to the DT. Good luck.
Just curious, how big is the DT?
Just curious, how big is the DT?
In my opinion you will not be able to have enough pods for a mandarin. You will have to use one of Pauls feeders and live black worms. They are slow feeders. And other fish can easily take the worms away from them. Mandarins need to pick at food most of the day. As I say, this is my experience. As with anything there is always someone doing it differently. As someone else mentioned, do not hover over the fish. They are shy at first.
Shelley
Shelley
themcnertney
Valuable Member
I have a 220 w/110 sump, cant keep a mandarin if my life counted on it (I've tried a few times). They are meant to stay in the ocean IMO.
I kept a female in a 10 gallon for about 6 months once. It was necessary at the time. But I used the feeder and black worms daily. They are fun to watch on their feeder. Which must be cleaned out weekly or they get rather gross.
Shelley
Shelley
eliramos
Valuable Member
I think the only true way to maintain mandarins are to make sure they are eating frozen and live food. Otherwise you have to hope you have enough pods to sustain them and when you run out you have to start supplementing more.
I believe I'm having success with mine because I dose pods once a month and she is eating both live and frozen food.
I also added a sand sifting goby which goes through that sand like nobody's business so I have to feed more now to account for whatever pods get devoured by him.
They are not an easy fish to keep by any means as gorgeous as they are!
I wish you all the luck in the world that he starts eating!!
I believe I'm having success with mine because I dose pods once a month and she is eating both live and frozen food.
I also added a sand sifting goby which goes through that sand like nobody's business so I have to feed more now to account for whatever pods get devoured by him.
They are not an easy fish to keep by any means as gorgeous as they are!
I wish you all the luck in the world that he starts eating!!
I used 3 scoops of eggs in my hatchery. No more, or they did not hatch as well. I do not use a heat lamp! Tried once, that plastic lid melts FAST! There should be a sample of bbs eggs complete with scoop. Lasts for months. Hopefully you have a feeder ready for the baby brine shrimp. I used a small funnel from hobby lobby, it was for some sand craft. I put a small amount of water from the tank into a 1/4 measure cup, then add the newly hatched shrimp into it. Then pour into Paul's feeder. Make sure the hole you drill into the small tape container is a tight fit for your plastic tubing. Slips out to easily otherwise. Sometimes they just will not eat. Could be many things. I think mostly they have gone without proper food for to long. :( I have a Green male and spotted female. Drago and Fiona! I wish her luck. They should live for years.
Shelley
Shelley
Remember to only use newly hatched BBS. Any over 24 hours old no longer have the nutritional value the fish need. I do not remember where I read that. They should be hatching in about a day.
Shelley
Shelley
Has this already been mentioned: http://www.larrysreefservices.com/lrs-fish-eggs.html
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