Copepods/mandarin/tank mates that dont eat copepods

[metalhead]

Im looking to get a manderan after i establish my 55gallon, i plan on having my 12 gallon nano as a refrigium, and 3 hang on the back filters converted into small refrugiums. My main goal is to be able to house a mandarin. I plan on getting ALOT of live rock. The only fish would be an azure damsel, I dont think it eats copepods. Im looking for suggestions of tankmates that wont at all touch the population of copepods so i can have a thriving mandarin.

 

[itom37]

No Damsels! They're a pain. Just a warning, some people love them.
My firefish don't seem to touch my pods.
Don't get a sand-sifting goby, they will decimate your sand-dwelling pod population.
Be patient letting the tank mature, and good luck!

 

[metalhead]

Do damsels eat pods?

 

[nycbob]

in a 55 gallon, u will need at least 100lbs of lr along w a fuge to sustain enough pods for the mandarin. the onyl fish i can think of that would eat pods r scooter blenny and twinspot goby. make sure ur tank is at least 6-8 months old.

 

[browniebuck]

Another alternative that we have found for our mandarin (purchased prior to knowing how difficult they were to care for and keep fed) is to supplement their pods by purchasing copepods (SWF.com sells them as well as some LFS). We added a ton (like 6 or 7 bags shortly after we got our mandarin) and everytime we place an order with SWF.com we buy another bag or 2.
We have also found that ours eats frozen mysis if we turn off all powerheads and filters to prevent the mysis from being swept away from her (just make sure to turn things back on after feeding!).
As far as tankmates with ours, we have 2 dwarf angels eibli and keyhole (not recommended, another "prior to research" purchase...luckily they have become friends), a yellowtail damsel, and a foxface.