Mandy pair separated

[DmitryB]

Ok so I got a paired Mandarin couple from Biota - and yes, they are teeny. I wasn't as careful as I should have been when I placed them into the tank (a 170 gallon, so huge for them.) And the flow separated them! Now I'm worried! I saw one for a while, all alone. No idea where the second one is, somewhere behind the rocks. I do hope they find each other soon! This is stressing me out!!!

 

[exnisstech]

Good luck. I've seen the little biota mandarins and I'd be afraid to put them in anything larger than an acclimation box lol. I've lost several small fish including two mandarins in large tanks. Put them in never to be seen again.

 

[DmitryB]

Stress level is at an 11!

 

[DmitryB]

OMG just saw both Mandies! Stress level at a 4 for now.

 

[Wrasse Magnet]

I didnt see my ora mandy for the first month and very sparsely until about a year old. If the pods are there they should do wonderful for you.

 

[DmitryB]

I didnt see my ora mandy for the first month and very sparsely until about a year old. If the pods are there they should do wonderful for you.

I've started culturing pods and have a refugium going. So hopefully that'll be good. (Plus since these were aquacultured they should take prepared foods as well.)

 

[mfinn]

The stress is only on you. They will be fine as long as there is food for them in the tank( pods)
If and when they find each other they will make the attempt to stay together if they want to.

 

[DmitryB]

Update because I know everyone is worried, I saw them again together, after lights out.

I asked Biota a bit more and they said Madarins have a smelly slimy coat which they use to find one another. Now I just need to see them eat; these are tank-bred so they eat prepared foods, but since they're hiding during the day, they must be eating pods and scavenging for leftovers.

 

[mfinn]

Update because I know everyone is worried, I saw them again together, after lights out.

I asked Biota a bit more and they said Madarins have a smelly slimy coat which they use to find one another. Now I just need to see them eat; these are tank-bred so they eat prepared foods, but since they're hiding during the day, they must be eating pods and scavenging for leftovers.

I might consider buy a pod package from one R2R's sponsors.
There are a few to pick from.

 

[DmitryB]

I might consider buy a pod package from one R2R's sponsors.
There are a few to pick from.

Yeah I started culturing pods at home, but it's too soon to be making enough at this point.