Pod Control?

CodyRVA · May 5, 2016

I've got a massive population of pods, which I thought was a good thing? I currently have no predators in the system to eat them, thus they are well over populated. My Zoas have began randomly melting, closing, etc. and i've been told the excessive amount of pods may be the culprit.

My question: will a mandarin eat these pods?

I'm told I have amphipods, not copepods. I don't care if the mandarin can't eat the large ones. In fact, thats a good thing, let the big guys alone to keep the population up so the mandarin doesn't wipe them out, assuming the mandarin will eat them at all.

Before everyone recommends a wrasse, I have an 80G rimless for a display with zero desire to cover it, so i'm sure any wrasse is going to "make the jump" sooner or later, hence my appeal to a mandarin.

If there are any other options lets hear them! :cool:

13138921_10208712538388945_325383509382130619_n_zpstcptbjq4.jpg

saltyfilmfolks · May 5, 2016

My fire fish eat the smaller ones, the mandarins cant get the big ones in their mouths yet. My royal gramma LOVES them. The big amphipods like that make a crunch sound when she gets them.

CodyRVA · May 5, 2016

saltyfilmfolks said:
My fire fish eat the smaller ones, the mandarins cant get the big ones in their mouths yet. My royal gramma LOVES them. The big amphipods like that make a crunch sound when she gets them.

Fire fish are jumpers though aren't they? I know theres a risk for any fish to jump, but obviously some are more prone. If a mandarin merely knocked the population back vs wiping it out I would be happy. Royal Gramma might be a good choice, is it common for them to go after pods?

saltyfilmfolks · May 5, 2016

CodyRVA said:
Fire fish are jumpers though aren't they? I know theres a risk for any fish to jump, but obviously some are more prone. If a mandarin merely knocked the population back vs wiping it out I would be happy. Royal Gramma might be a good choice, is it common for them to go after pods?

I dont know really. In the ocean everything eats everything for the most part.. But I believe its common for them to eat small crustaceans. Mandys do come with thier own challenges.