Tips on helping slow feeders get food.

[Fisherman Joe]

I’ve noticed my mandarin goby is really thin. Been target feeding mysis but cleaner shrimps and wrasse get there first and scare it off.

Any advice?

 

[Eagle_Steve]

I’ve noticed my mandarin goby is really thin. Been target feeding mysis but cleaner shrimps and wrasse get there first and scare it off.

Any advice?

Most mandarins rely on pods and only pods. If you have a captive bred one that was raised on other foods, then you may have to target feed it. Feed the shrimp on one end of the tank first and then target feed the mandarin while the shrimp are eating.

If the mandarin is wild caught, you are going to have to dose pods if your tank cannot sustain the massive amount they eat. Large Refugium and tons of live rock are usually needed to sustain a pod population when a hungry mandarin is involved.

 

[Jekyl]

I’ve noticed my mandarin goby is really thin. Been target feeding mysis but cleaner shrimps and wrasse get there first and scare it off.

Any advice?

Mandarin need copepods to survive. Mine had never eaten the food I give other fish in the 2 years I've had her. Best option would be the feeder Paul B made to feed live baby brine shrimp.

 

[nereefpat]

Mandarins are fairly difficult fish. Some will take foods, but for the most part, they need a constant supply of copepods to keep them fed.

Could you tell us about your tank?
How much rock?
How old?
Tank size?
Refugium?

 

[Fisherman Joe]

600L tank.
2 years old.
large refugium.

Still not enough pods to feed her. I dose pods regular. She will take Mysis shrimp so that’s good but everything else eats them first.

I was thinking of putting a big chunk of shrimp on a clip at the other end?

 

[Jekyl]

600L tank.
2 years old.
large refugium.

Still not enough pods to feed her. I dose pods regular. She will take Mysis shrimp so that’s good but everything else eats them first.

I was thinking of putting a big chunk of shrimp on a clip at the other end?

That doesn't seem right. I have a 90 gallon tank, no sump or fuge and only add pods maybe once a year.

 

[nereefpat]

That doesn't seem right.

I agree. Joe, how long have you had the fish?

Sometimes if they get too skinny, it's tough to make a comeback.

 

[Fisherman Joe]

Modt tanks don’t support enough pods to feed mandarins alone in my opinion.

Im looking for ways to ensure I can feed it mysis. How do people distract other fish etc?

 

[Jekyl]

Idea from @Paul B

 

[Fisherman Joe]

That look great. Lot of work.

I’m worried what would happen to nutrients putting all that in.

 

[Paul B]

 

[Paul B]