Photosynthetic Gorgonians in Breeding Tank

[Earl Karl]

So, I am trying to breed red mandarins (successfully bred green mandarins, now trying these guys out), and I have them in a macroalgae tank. I do plan to put some photosynthetic gorgonians, but I realize that might eat my fry. I am adding the Golden Plume gorgonian and Purple Cactus gorgonian, just stating in case it matters. Is this a big concern, or should I not be worried? I do not mind a few losses though.

 

[GreshamH]

you'll want to collect the eggs and rear them in another tanks anyways, so no worries.

 

[Earl Karl]

I actually leave everything there. I did the same with my green mandarins and it was successful. The parents just kept doing their business and a lot of macroalgae for the babies to hide. I've done this twice until I decided to try red mandarins. I also want to add photosynthetic gorgonians, but I am concerned that they might eat the fry. However, with help, I decided it would be fine. I know someone who is doing the same thing but with seahorses. I'm sure it would be fine for my fry I think. Who knows, I can always pull them out if I see them as a problem.

 

[taricha]

I think the photosynthetic gorgs will love it. And they will eat a lot of the tiny pods that I presume the fish fry are living on.

This is a photosynthetic gorg that managed to capture and ingest fish flake. I still don't think the fry themselves would get eaten, they might get caught though, depends on how developed they are at hatch time. I think the fry food would be at greater risk than the fry themselves

Btw, got a link to the green mandarin breeding? That's a very cool result.

 

[Earl Karl]

I don't mind the pods being threatened as I have cultures in case things go wrong. I decided I would try them. I can always pull them out if I see them problematic.
Sorry I didn't document any of the green mandarin breeding. It started unexpectedly, high mortality rate due to me being unprepared, but I never had the intention of breeding them. I tried the second time and it was successful. But I decided that I want to try red mandarins, so I gave it away to a friend whos just making money off of them. Shoulda kept them. The reds are still small, so I don't expect anything, but I am always ready in case it happens. This time I will blog everything and put them on this site.