What's your most important advice for getting a mandarin for a beginner

[mumra]

I am having a horrible time trying to culture pods in their own container. They die after just a few days in their growing container.

What kind of container are you using ,where are you getting your pods, and are you using an air stone and are you feeding phyto

The container is some kind of big mixed drink dispenser. I've gotten pods from LFSs and local club members and an online vendor a few times. I've had a mandarin goby feeding on the same pods i used to stock the tank with and used try to start a culture. Yes, i used an air stone and phyto.

That’s odd have you tested salinity they certainly aren’t super sensitive to swings but the salinity may be too high

Yes, I test my water all the time with both an analog and digital refractometer. 1.023 100%

 

[Naekuh]

The correct answer is: don’t.

+1 to this...

Or have a friend near that has experience that can help you.

But if i had to recommend something... I probably wouldn't even consider a mandarin anymore unless its ORA Captive. As i heard those have better success taking food thats not copods.

 

[reefernc02]

The correct answer is: don’t.

+1 to this...

Or have a friend near that has experience that can help you.

But if i had to recommend something... I probably wouldn't even consider a mandarin anymore unless its ORA Captive. As i heard those have better success taking food thats not copods.

Highly disagree I will go to my grave saying that Ora and other captive breeding facilities are taking advantage of the beauty and desirability of the dragonet and the limited knowledge of beginners to make 120 bucks of a fish that usually sells for 29.99