Mixing mandarins

[DylanE]

I’ve got a 75g tank with a 30g sump, absolutely loaded with pods. Currently have one large spotted mandarin male that’s been in the tank about a year. He takes frozen and is super healthy. I was thinking it’d be nice to add a red mandarin as well, but I’m wondering how well they’d get along. Would I be safe adding a female? Even if it doesn’t take to frozen, I’m sure I’ve got enough pods to handle the new fish.

 

[infinityends]

I've mixed them before without issues for the most part. Since the male has been solo for a long time that might up the possibility of aggression. You definitely want to get a female, and ideally a large one that is comparable in size to the male.

In the past I've had 4-5 varieties of dragonettes all in the same tank (90g) without major issues. You will definitely know if there is aggression. For fish that seem so passive and happy to just chill and hop around grazing for food. It is surprising to see their personality shift when there is male on male aggression over territory.