Can I get a Manderin?

[clown boy]

In my 135 gallon reef, I occasionally spot a copode scooting about. I have seen quite a bit... sometimes as many as 10 or so hanging out together at night. How many do I need to be able to get a Manderin?

 

[zanclus]

You need thousands upon thousands of copepods to support a manderin. It is their only source of food.

 

[sudc]

I don't know about thousands upon thousands but you definitely need alot.
How much lr do you have and how long has the tank been setup?
Do you have a refugium? That is the best way to insure an adequate pod population for a madarin.

 

[rykna]

Can you? Yes absolutely...Should you? not necessarily.

sorry could resist. I agree with zan

 

[saltfish123]

yea i agree but you can buy bottled copepods from this site if you want to kick start your population

 

[clown boy]

Originally Posted by SUDC
How much lr do you have and how long has the tank been setup?
Do you have a refugium? That is the best way to insure an adequate pod population for a madarin.
I have a lot of LR... I don't exactly know the weight, but my tank is packed with it.

I bought an established setup, so it's been mine for around 8 months, but it's been set up for years.
Ummm... what's a refugium? Is that another word for a sump?

 

[clown boy]

Originally Posted by saltfish123
yea i agree but you can buy bottled copepods from this site if you want to kick start your population
Ok, thanks.

 

[clown boy]

 

[alex4286]

id buy three things of 200pods each..wait 3 months and u should be safe with 1 fish depending on it

 

[clown boy]

ok, thanks... but are they copeods, amphipods... or both?

 

[renogaw]

135 gallon packed with rock you should be fine. most likely you will never see your copepods, even the biggest ones are only about 1/8" long.
a refugium is a sump with a sandbed and macro algae in it. you could also have a hang on one. basically a sump with live rock will do to help grow pods as well. but as suggested, buy a couple bags of copepods, let them grow and multiply, if you're worried.
personally, i'd say you're ok for a mandarin.

 

[clown boy]

Thanks!

 

[renogaw]

i should ammend: i think you are ok IF you have a sump or a fuge that can grow pods in there CB. sry

 

[clown boy]

I do... 15 gallons. It's a nice one... and already there are copeods in it.

 

[1journeyman]

What other pod eating fish does your tank have?

 

[scotty37]

Im a little confused... you asked what a fuge was... and you have one?
If that is the case, put some live rock in the fuge, maybe a thing of 200 pods, and you should be good to go.

 

[scotty37]

I see you have pods in your fuge... then I say you are good to go now.

 

[clown boy]

Originally Posted by 1journeyman
What other pod eating fish does your tank have?
I don't have any at the moment...

 

[clown boy]

Originally Posted by scotty37
Im a little confused... you asked what a fuge was... and you have one?
I don't know what a fuge is... but a have a sump... LOL

 

[1journeyman]

Originally Posted by Clown Boy
I don't know what a fuge is... but a have a sump... LOL
There are no precise definitions, but in general:
A Sump is an extra body of water connected to your display tank used to house skimmer, heater, Calcium reactor, etc.
A Refugium is an extra body of water, connected to your display tank, that houses a "refuge" for breeding with no fear of predation.