Two male mandarins with a female? Is it possible?

[Eleni18]

Hello all, I have a 130 gallon mixed reef with an assortment of fish and corals, all fish living peacefully together. In my tank I have two male mandarins. I actually wanted a female to pair with the male but was sent another male by mistake. They have been living together for about two years no, no issues, they do swim together, no fighting, some chasing but everything peaceful overall. Now, my lfs has brought in some really beautiful female mandarins and I really really want one. Do you think it would be possible to introduce one female to the two males? Maybe I should get two females? But would my tank be able to support four mandarins on copepods? The tank has a lot of rock and sand and the two mandarins are fat and healthy. What should I do? I really want a pair of mandarins

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

I'll wager a guess that the larger male will lock the female up, and the balance would be through off. Mandarins can and will kill other mandarins.

 

[Eleni18]

I'll wager a guess that the larger male will lock the female up, and the balance would be through off. Mandarins can and will kill other mandarins.

Thanks. So...what should I do? Get two females?

 

[BroccoliFarmer]

Quick...go register the domain "fishhub.com"..i think we have a winner for the next big thing on the internet.

 

[Rick's Reviews]

Hello all, I have a 130 gallon mixed reef with an assortment of fish and corals, all fish living peacefully together. In my tank I have two male mandarins. I actually wanted a female to pair with the male but was sent another male by mistake. They have been living together for about two years no, no issues, they do swim together, no fighting, some chasing but everything peaceful overall. Now, my lfs has brought in some really beautiful female mandarins and I really really want one. Do you think it would be possible to introduce one female to the two males? Maybe I should get two females? But would my tank be able to support four mandarins on copepods? The tank has a lot of rock and sand and the two mandarins are fat and healthy. What should I do? I really want a pair of mandarins

I only have 1 mandarin that's 4 years old so I can only offer suggestions. my mandarin goes crazy when I'm looking at my aquriam with glasses on, I can only assume it can see it's reflection in my glasses and it assumes it is another/competition. If you want a male/ female pair I would remove one male and replace with female instead of chancing it to 'a threesome' .
From the reactions of mine to reflection in my glasses I assume it would be a quick fight to death once a female is added.
Again I'm no expert

 

[Lost in the Sauce]

Thanks. So...what should I do? Get two females?

If you have achieved a balance with two males after 2 years in your tank, I wouldn't mess with it personally.

 

[OrionN]

Wait until night and catch one of the males out. Having a pair is way better off than two males.
A friend of mine had 2 males in his tank. I want to Houston two weeks ago and had a chance to pick up a beautiful female for him. So far, the three Mandarin are doing OK, no problem. His tank is a 240-gal tank.

 

[Eleni18]

Wait until night and catch one of the males out. Having a pair is way better off than two males.
A friend of mine had 2 males in his tank. I want to Houston two weeks ago and had a chance to pick up a beautiful female for him. So far, the three Mandarin are doing OK, no problem. His tank is a 240-gal tank.

Thanks! So your friend now has 2 males and 1 female? And everything is OK?