Mandarin Question

fftfk · Aug 22, 2025

Good Morning - I have a 300 gallon display tank, 45 gallon refugium, dump, and a 60 gallon water change tank/extra volume tank. All have been up and running for 3 years now. Twice I have added rock from Tampa bay saltwater to my tank.

The extra volume tank has turned into a holding tank for a few rocks with bubble top anemones that keep spreading.

I have ordered one of the 1 inch mandarin fish that apparently eats pellets and misses shrimp. I am worried about him still being too small compared to the other fish in my tank, is the extra volume tank with the anemones an acceptable grow out tank? I don’t believe the mandarin requires a sand bed but not sure if there are enough hiding spots for him. I have a bunch of pvc fittings I can add. Any concern with the anemones? There are about 12 of them with the largest being about 3 inches. Photo attached.

Reeferbadness · Aug 22, 2025

Ha, from your photo, it looks like you have some very nice Aiptasia (anemones) in the tank LOL. I've had a mandarin in a 180g tank for 5+ years. It doesn't eat mysis or pellets - just pods.... which i seeded the tank early on. I'd be more concerned about aiptasia eradication before adding any fish to that tank.

fftfk · Aug 22, 2025

Reeferbadness said:
Ha, from your photo, it looks like you have some very nice Aiptasia (anemones) in the tank LOL. I've had a mandarin in a 180g tank for 5+ years. It doesn't eat mysis or pellets - just pods.... which i seeded the tank early on. I'd be more concerned about aiptasia eradication before adding any fish to that tank.

Thanks but there are no aiptasia in that tank. They are are all bubble tip anemones...might look a little bad as the lights are off over the tank and the main room lights are on.

The mandarin is captive bred from Biota group which do feed on prepared food. Apologies for not listing where I purchased the mandarin from in the first message. https://shop.thebiotagroup.com/prod...1&_sid=9ba0e9573&_ss=r&variant=42951188054252

Do you have anything to add to my actual questions?

bubbgee · Aug 22, 2025

300 gallon is plenty. Most fish ignore the mandarin anyway. Mine eats pods, frozen cyclops, frozen mysis and pellets and have been a wonderful addition to the tank.

W31Olds · Aug 22, 2025

ff, you don't need sand for a Mandarin to do well or hiding places. These are bold little fish that don't seem to fear others in the tank. Mine never hides and I have large fish the swim right up to her and they could care less. If they crowd her too much she usually just swims off. Your holding Tank looks fine to me as long as you have PODs, otherwise you will have to supplemental feed.