My new mandarin goes to the water surface in the evenings!!

davilahope · Jul 18, 2018

I've had my small mandarin for only 6 days and she has been swimming at water surface for at least 3 of the last 6 nights/evenings before she goes to sleep.. she can't swim very well up there I dont understand why she does that!!??

HotRocks · Jul 19, 2018

davilahope said:
I've had my small mandarin for only 6 days and she has been swimming at water surface for at least 3 of the last 6 nights/evenings before she goes to sleep.. she can't swim very well up there I dont understand why she does that!!??

Did you QT this fish?

Oxygen levels in the water are greater at the top of the tank. Fish that have gills that are afflicted by parasites seek oxygen as the parasites keep the gills from functioning properly.

Could also be ammonia burn or flukes.

astraycat · Jul 19, 2018

HotRocks said:
Did you QT this fish?

Oxygen levels in the water are greater at the top of the tank. Fish that have gills that are afflicted by parasites seek oxygen as the parasites keep the gills from functioning properly.

Could also be ammonia burn or flukes.

How does one successfully QT a mandarin?

HotRocks · Jul 19, 2018

@Humblefish...?

Probably TTM is the best method to use on them. I personally don't have one, so I can't say one way or another. I know that they tend to be sensitive to things like CP or copper.

Humblefish · Jul 19, 2018

astraycat said:
How does one successfully QT a mandarin?

TTM or they also handle Chloroquine well.

The trick is getting one that will eat frozen or pellets. Because dosing pods whilst QTing is rather impractical.

davilahope · Jul 19, 2018

HotRocks said:
Did you QT this fish?

Oxygen levels in the water are greater at the top of the tank. Fish that have gills that are afflicted by parasites seek oxygen as the parasites keep the gills from functioning properly.

Could also be ammonia burn or flukes.

No I did not qt her I got her from algae barn.. if you read my other thread that might help you help me

HotRocks · Jul 19, 2018

davilahope said:
No I did not qt her I got her from algae barn.. if you read my other thread that might help you help me

Link?

Toofattofish · Jul 19, 2018

My mandarin used do this occasionally. It seems that it was sleeping and drifting in current. It swims perfectly well during the day so I don't think it's a swim bladder or other internal issue. Every now and then it would be suddenly awoken and would be startled and try to jump out of the tank.

davilahope · Jul 19, 2018

HotRocks said:
Link?

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/i-almost-killed-my-mandarin.420921/

davocean · Jul 19, 2018

When lights go low the pairs I've had have swam up to the surface as part of heir mating dance, not sure if yours is trying to do something like that or what, but they do that.

Mandarin is about the only fish I personally do not qt, they are supposed to be pretty resistant to most typical bad things, though that's just what I do.

I don't personally put much thought into them eating frozen, I make sure they have pods.

jhOU · Jul 20, 2018

I’ve seen my mandarin do this as well at lights out, she seemed to be pecking at the surface. I’ve had my mandarin for about 3 months, I did successfully complete ttm QT with her, and I QT everything wet. Not sure what the behavior is, but i’m curious to know as well. She’s still healthy and happy.

davilahope · Jul 20, 2018

jhOU said:
I’ve seen my mandarin do this as well at lights out, she seemed to be pecking at the surface. I’ve had my mandarin for about 3 months, I did successfully complete ttm QT with her, and I QT everything wet. Not sure what the behavior is, but i’m curious to know as well. She’s still healthy and happy.

Mine seems happy and healthy too but I've only had her for 8 days today

Land Shark · Jul 20, 2018

My Mandarin of 7 months does that from time to time. It’s perfectly normal for Mandarins. Read it has something to do with drifting while looking for a mate in the wild.

davilahope · Jul 23, 2018

Land Shark said:
My Mandarin of 7 months does that from time to time. It’s perfectly normal for Mandarins. Read it has something to do with drifting while looking for a mate in the wild.

That makes a lot of sense.. where did you read that at?

Land Shark · Jul 23, 2018

davilahope said:
That makes a lot of sense.. where did you read that at?

There is mention of the behavior here (first hit) http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/search.php?searchid=21621803

Land Shark · Jul 23, 2018

If you have plenty of pods, your mandarin will eat. If not, check out "Paul B" to see how he feeds his mandarins. The guy is creative.

davilahope · Jul 23, 2018

Land Shark said:
If you have plenty of pods, your mandarin will eat. If not, check out "Paul B" to see how he feeds his mandarins. The guy is creative.

Where can I find Paul b? Facebook? Instagram? YouTube? Mine is eating pods but she also eats prepared foods I just dont like my nitrate level climbing up as I feed her prepared foods

Land Shark · Jul 23, 2018

davilahope said:
Where can I find Paul b? Facebook? Instagram? YouTube? Mine is eating pods but she also eats prepared foods I just dont like my nitrate level climbing up as I feed her prepared foods

Search for "Paul B" here on R2R and you will find him.

Nitrates can be over 50 and your fish will be fine. How high are yours?

davilahope · Jul 23, 2018

Land Shark said:
Search for "Paul B" here on R2R and you will find him.

Nitrates can be over 50 and your fish will be fine. How high are yours?

About 18ppm I'm more worried about my seahorse I should keep it below 20ppm for him

Land Shark · Jul 23, 2018

davilahope said:
About 18ppm I'm more worried about my seahorse I should keep it below 20ppm for him

Seahorses have special requirements but your mandarin is fine with nitrates at 18. You may have to clean your glass more often but your fish don't mind seeing you do a little extra work for them.