My new Captive Bred Green Mandarin Dragonet from AlgaeBarn (Pod Hotel)

[Brian Goldstein]

Hello Reefers!

I want to start documenting my captive bred Green Mandarin Dragonet from Algae Barn. Her name is Moose I was shocked by her size when she was delivered (0.75 inches). So far she is extremely active (always looking for pods) and is eating frozen brine shrimp.

I will be dosing 3,000+ tisbe pods in my refugium in a few days and will also be creating a "Pod Hotel" with mesh and liverock to make sure this lil girl has plenty to eat. I will also be documenting the progress of my pod farm.

Any advice, comments, questions are always welcome.

Now, for some Moose pictures:

 

[NanoCrazed]

Here's an idea that's worked really well for me...

Have fat mandarins as a result... and haven't dosed pods since the first few weeks...

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/diy-quick-and-cheap-pod-hotel.308234/

 

[Brian Goldstein]

Here's an idea that's worked really well for me...

Have fat mandarins as a result... and haven't dosed pods since the first few weeks...

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/diy-quick-and-cheap-pod-hotel.308234/

Thanks for the advice! I'm going to try something very similar to this.

 

[jorahx]

Following along!

I've been trying to build my pod population before I get a dragonet.

 

[NanoCrazed]

Pic of one of my pigs... was a skinny rescue when I got her last year... struggled to get her fat until the introduction of the pod hotel...

 

[Brian Goldstein]

Pic of one of my pigs... was a skinny rescue when I got her last year... struggled to get her fat until the introduction of the pod hotel...

wow, thats a pretty mandarin! love it

 

[Brian Goldstein]

Here's the pod hotel I made. Really basic $2.00 plastic jar from Walmart. Made sure it was the correct type of plastic too (type that doesn't leach chemicals into your system). Half of the container is filled with rubble rock. I will be stuffing the other half with chaeto once it is delivered this week from AlgaeBarn.

 

[PookieGV]

Thanks for starting this thread. I am looking forward to getting a biota myself.

 

[Clarinuto]

How is your mandarin doing? I’ve been considering getting one of these. So gorgeous!

 

[Brian Goldstein]

so sorry for the delay.. It's been awhile since people have posted on this thread.. My mandarin is doing GREAT.. I will post an updated picture soon.


-BG

 

[Clarinuto]

so sorry for the delay.. It's been awhile since people have posted on this thread.. My mandarin is doing GREAT.. I will post an updated picture soon.


-BG

That’s great! Can’t wait!

 

[Dash]

Omigosh those eyes. She is so sweet.

 

[Brian Goldstein]

been busy with exams. I will post a picture tomorrow


-BG

 

[Brian Goldstein]

Haven't been able to get a picture of her the past couple of days she's being extra sneaky. I am going to try again tomorrow.

-BG

 

[Kal93]

Repeat post

 

[Kal93]

So cute! I got a Biota mandarin a couple of weeks ago and was shocked at how tinny he is! He doesn't eat anything larger than 0.25mm though... how are you feeding the brine?

 

[JAM-MAN]

So cute! I got a Biota mandarin a couple of weeks ago and was shocked at how tinny he is! He doesn't eat anything larger than 0.25mm though... how are you feeding the brine?

Are you putting the Biota Mandarins in quarantine?

 

[Brian Goldstein]

I really apologize for the delay; student life has been really busy. I know its very late, but here are the pictures as promised. I know they aren't the greatest, but she's still pretty small. I'll post some better pictures in the coming days.

Anyways, Moose is doing great. She's maintained a full belly since the time I got her as a baby and does really well around all of my other fish. She's definitely increased in size, but is still a tiny fish. Her patterning changed from a turquoise to a really nice dark blue. Believe it or not, I've only dosed a single dose of copepods (right after my tank cycled), and the population has been thriving and more than sufficient enough to keep her belly full. As she gains more mass, this could start to change, but there's been no sign of my pod population decreasing.


Happy Reefing!

 

[Clarinuto]

I missed these pictures but she is just adorable!! We had a dog Moose that passed away last year so her name is extra special to me as well. Precious.

 

[sscg]

omg she's adorable ;Happy