I am extremely enamored by dragonets in general. I love ruby red's and mandarin's, but I understand they are hard to keep due to their need for 'copepod grazing'. Based upon my understanding of the reading I have done, it really isn't so much that you need a 75g or a 300g to keep one, but rather a seasoned tank- meaning good buildup of micro fauna. Is this true?
In addition to this, I was told that the Ruby Red is easier to get to accept frozen foods compared to the mandarin, and they also stay smaller. I have seen in several guides that Ruby Red's can be kept in 'nano' systems, even as small as 10g tanks, which I have read that they stay 2-3" full grown, seems fitting, but I realize that 'will fit' and 'will be manageable' are two totally different things. I'd rather not have a fish I have to feed 4 times a day to simply keep it alive. What are the general thoughts on this? I have read max size 3", but don't have the experience to trust this.
My reason for asking is that I would like to keep a pair of ruby red dragonets.
Currently I have a Fluval Flex Marine 32.5. I have begun setting it up as a reef tank, although very new, it has an established rock in it and it does have a group of 12 hermit crabs and 5 astria snails. The tank was used, so it is covered in algae. The previous owner took it down the day I got it, leaving me all of the sand and a bigger piece of rock. It will be a reef tank as well.
My planned stock is: (Will probably change)
My Mated Pair of Ocellaris Clowns
1 Orchid dottyback (will attempt to pair with another in time)
4 Bengai Cardinals
10~ Hermit Crabs
5~ Astria Snails
1 Blood red shrimp
The pair of Ruby Red Dragonets
I will be running an in tank skimmer, I know it is a TUNZE Comline- it came with the tank, not sure which one exactly.
As for feeding, I am quite the heavy feeder. Its really just a habit because in my freshwater tanks my main focus is breeding, so I feed a lot of food.
As for the questions:
Is it possible to keep a pair of ruby reds happily in a setup as such?
What obstacles may I run into if I choose to get them?
Will they work with the chosen fish well?
Given steady food supply and introduction of several types of copepods, how long could I potentially have to wait?
Are there any specific things I could do to increase chances of success with these fish?
As a note, I do have many tanks, so I will have a backup tank if there is aggression.
Also worth noting that I am a feed once per day person. I keep an arsenal of frozen and prepared foods at all times. Also have baby brine shrimp eggs and a hatchery on standby.
Thank you for reading! Feedback is always appreciated!
In addition to this, I was told that the Ruby Red is easier to get to accept frozen foods compared to the mandarin, and they also stay smaller. I have seen in several guides that Ruby Red's can be kept in 'nano' systems, even as small as 10g tanks, which I have read that they stay 2-3" full grown, seems fitting, but I realize that 'will fit' and 'will be manageable' are two totally different things. I'd rather not have a fish I have to feed 4 times a day to simply keep it alive. What are the general thoughts on this? I have read max size 3", but don't have the experience to trust this.
My reason for asking is that I would like to keep a pair of ruby red dragonets.
Currently I have a Fluval Flex Marine 32.5. I have begun setting it up as a reef tank, although very new, it has an established rock in it and it does have a group of 12 hermit crabs and 5 astria snails. The tank was used, so it is covered in algae. The previous owner took it down the day I got it, leaving me all of the sand and a bigger piece of rock. It will be a reef tank as well.
My planned stock is: (Will probably change)
My Mated Pair of Ocellaris Clowns
1 Orchid dottyback (will attempt to pair with another in time)
4 Bengai Cardinals
10~ Hermit Crabs
5~ Astria Snails
1 Blood red shrimp
The pair of Ruby Red Dragonets
I will be running an in tank skimmer, I know it is a TUNZE Comline- it came with the tank, not sure which one exactly.
As for feeding, I am quite the heavy feeder. Its really just a habit because in my freshwater tanks my main focus is breeding, so I feed a lot of food.
As for the questions:
Is it possible to keep a pair of ruby reds happily in a setup as such?
What obstacles may I run into if I choose to get them?
Will they work with the chosen fish well?
Given steady food supply and introduction of several types of copepods, how long could I potentially have to wait?
Are there any specific things I could do to increase chances of success with these fish?
As a note, I do have many tanks, so I will have a backup tank if there is aggression.
Also worth noting that I am a feed once per day person. I keep an arsenal of frozen and prepared foods at all times. Also have baby brine shrimp eggs and a hatchery on standby.
Thank you for reading! Feedback is always appreciated!