MissNano
Reefing newb
I am thinking of buying a mandarin Goby, i was wondering what everyone's input was on buying one? I already have copods breeding in my tank, i am going to set up a 10g to breed some more.
Mandarin Gobys
- Thread starter MissNano
- Start date
Melosu58
Reef enthusiast
If you are talking about the 12 gallon I would say not IMO. You could not keep enough pods in both tanks to keep him fed. The Mandarin needs a 55 gallon tank with alot of LR for pod production. IMO.
Smitty
Reef pro
+1 Mike...unless you can get one that eats frozen foods, I would not try one.
MissNano
Reefing newb
well, i am getting a 55g set up. it is in the process actually. Do you think it would be ok in a 12g till then?
wontonflip
I failed Kobayashi Maru
The issue is not just the tank size -- it's the food availability. Most Mandarins eat ONLY live foods like pods. Tanks take a year to establish enough of a pod population to feed the mandarin. Some people will put them in after 6 months, and find that within a month of adding it, their pod population is gone, and they're mandarin dies of starvation.
If you insist on one, make sure it eats frozen mysis -- do NOT leave a store with one if you have not seen it eat frozen mysis. I would be wary of an lfs employee telling you that it eats frozen food without seeing it with your own eyes.
The other option is to buy bottles of live pods. But you'd have to really keep buying them.
If you insist on one, make sure it eats frozen mysis -- do NOT leave a store with one if you have not seen it eat frozen mysis. I would be wary of an lfs employee telling you that it eats frozen food without seeing it with your own eyes.
The other option is to buy bottles of live pods. But you'd have to really keep buying them.
MissNano
Reefing newb
Yeah, good call. I will def make sure it eats frozen too.
yote
In Memoriam
I dont think I would try a mandrine in a 12 gallon even if it was eating frozen.Those little fish require so much food that it aint even funny and they'll fill in between feedings by eating the pods in the tank.
I just dont think it'll even if it is till the new tank is ready.
I just dont think it'll even if it is till the new tank is ready.
sen5241b
Reef enthusiast
1+ Way too small
Sharkie
The Damsel Defender
+2, i wouldn't add one in a 12. the only reason i had mine in my 20 was because he was eating frozen and flake, thats not something thats easy to find in a mandrin... they still need that live food too... the 55 although its size is good is not gonna help much. you need a huge population... I'm not getting another mandrin for at least a year for my 75
dcantucson
Reef pro
I agree with everyone. After your 55 gallon is established (8-12 months) then you would be okay. Just say no! For now at least.
