jessica47421
Active Member
what are copepods and when are they needed? i am plaing on gettign a green madarin are these easy to care for and how often do i need to buy these things if i get one?
copepods
- Thread starter jessica47421
- Start date
fedukeford
Active Member
They are little tiny creatures, that live in/around the live rock, they look kinda like fleas. If you have at least 100 lbs of live rock, and the tank is around 1 year old you should have plenty of pods already in the tank to keep a manderin nice and fat and healthy
ifirefight
Active Member
Originally Posted by jessica47421
what are copepods and when are they needed? i am plaing on gettign a green madarin are these easy to care for and how often do i need to buy these things if i get one?
From what I understand ,copeods are very small organisims that Mandrin feed on,I believe you need a fairly established tank to even begin to consider getting a Mandrin. If you dont have enough established "pods" they will starve to death and DIE. :scared:
what are copepods and when are they needed? i am plaing on gettign a green madarin are these easy to care for and how often do i need to buy these things if i get one?
From what I understand ,copeods are very small organisims that Mandrin feed on,I believe you need a fairly established tank to even begin to consider getting a Mandrin. If you dont have enough established "pods" they will starve to death and DIE. :scared:
jessica47421
Active Member
o my tank is just started im not looking to get one now just checking things out, there is alot of the little clear looking things on my rock now though
seasalt101
Active Member
jessica when you look at the fish you being new and all look at the easy, hardy type fish they are cool fish, colorful, personable and tough in this hobby the more forgiving the fish, the more likely you will enjoy the hobby, look at gobies, blennies(not scooters, same requirements as the mandarin) hawkfish etc., shop find research and then ask here then buy
beatlesfan
Member
What size tank is it? From your profile it says a 55g which will most likely not support a mandarin.
reefnut
Active Member
Originally Posted by jessica47421
o my tank is just started im not looking to get one now just checking things out
Glad to see you researching :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer:
Unfortunately Mandarin's are as hard to care for as they are beautiful. Having a lot of copepods isn't always enough... you need the population and the housing (live rock) to constantly replenish a population large enough to support 100% of their food supply.
o my tank is just started im not looking to get one now just checking things out
Glad to see you researching :cheer: :cheer: :cheer: :cheer:
Unfortunately Mandarin's are as hard to care for as they are beautiful. Having a lot of copepods isn't always enough... you need the population and the housing (live rock) to constantly replenish a population large enough to support 100% of their food supply.
specialreef
Member
I would say you can keep one. Im not trying to go against anyone here. But of course the madarin would have to eat prepared food, pellet flakes etc.. But that would be a gamble on your part, and alot of patience.
OR you can dose some pods but he would go thru bottle in days which would turn out mighty expensive. Also you can start your own pod culture(a 10 gallon, very simple or even your own refugium if you have one.) to have a constant supply of pods.
Trust me im a newbie myself and after reading alot ive noticed you can do it with some time/money/dedication. With a big IF, if you have a large enough setup w/LR and enough research.
OR you can dose some pods but he would go thru bottle in days which would turn out mighty expensive. Also you can start your own pod culture(a 10 gallon, very simple or even your own refugium if you have one.) to have a constant supply of pods.
Trust me im a newbie myself and after reading alot ive noticed you can do it with some time/money/dedication. With a big IF, if you have a large enough setup w/LR and enough research.
hot883
Active Member
Originally Posted by specialreef
I would say you can keep one. Im not trying to go against anyone here. But of course the madarin would have to eat prepared food, pellet flakes etc.. But that would be a gamble on your part, and alot of patience.
OR you can dose some pods but he would go thru bottle in days which would turn out mighty expensive. Also you can start your own pod culture(a 10 gallon, very simple or even your own refugium if you have one.) to have a constant supply of pods.
Trust me im a newbie myself and after reading alot ive noticed you can do it with some time/money/dedication. With a big IF, if you have a large enough setup w/LR and enough research.
Mandarins will NOT eat prepared food or flakes. They will eat mysis and pods.
I would say you can keep one. Im not trying to go against anyone here. But of course the madarin would have to eat prepared food, pellet flakes etc.. But that would be a gamble on your part, and alot of patience.
OR you can dose some pods but he would go thru bottle in days which would turn out mighty expensive. Also you can start your own pod culture(a 10 gallon, very simple or even your own refugium if you have one.) to have a constant supply of pods.
Trust me im a newbie myself and after reading alot ive noticed you can do it with some time/money/dedication. With a big IF, if you have a large enough setup w/LR and enough research.
Mandarins will NOT eat prepared food or flakes. They will eat mysis and pods.
specialreef
Member
You wanna make a bet,boy. Im no expert but ive seen it. That is why i wrote it would be a GAMBLE or did you miss that part. It would defenietly be a big gamble to sit there hoping the fish dont starve to death while you wait on it to just give up and accept what is being giving to it for a meal. OR if someone really wants one(like myself), they make it happen if it means they buy bottle after bottle or setup a culture of some sort. If one is willing to dedicate with what they have for limits,one can make it happen. I was trying to be positive. Unlike when i started all i would get was negative feed back and ignorant comments instead of help/opinions/advice. Notice i aint write "go ahead do it". No,i just try to expand he ability to think. ONE THING I LEARNED IN THIS HOBBY/FORUMS, IS WHEN SOME ONE NEW COMES ALONG WITH AN IDEA/INTEREST THEY HAVE, AND ITS RISKY THEY SHOULD BE WARNED/ADVICED/EXPLAINED BOTH SIDES OF THE COIN AND NOT PROSECUTED LIKE IT WAS MURDER THEY WRITING ABOUT, ITS A HOBBY WITH TRAIL AND ERROR. Now im not saying thats what was done with jessica's case, But i was aiming for her not to fall back and be like "all-right i guess not" but instead be like, its possible. LIKE IT IS. So go on ahead and study. Its the hobby.
jessica47421
Active Member
thank you so much it does seem like there is alot of negative feed back on this site but i will have to say there is alot of good too there is just some ppl that think they know it all and there is no one else allowed to have a opinion i was just asking im not going out to buy one tomorrow or anything , i have noticed there is certain ppl that just pop in to give a little negativness to a thread then they are gone i just wish when they did that they would continue with the thread and explain y sometimes instead of just one or two some what hateful words then they are gone ty again for the positive.
1journeyman
Active Member
Jessica, please don't take opionated posters the wrong way...
I hope I've given you enough kind and good advice that you'll hear what I say in the helpful way I mean it.
Mandarins very very often starve in captivity. Hot and other's answer this same question A LOT. And everytime they do someone comes along and says "Nuh,uh... I can do it..."
Can a Mandarin eat prepared foods? Sure. Do literally hundreds (if not thousands) starve because they won't? Yes... First off the next time you are at the fish store examine their mouths. They have very tiny mouths. They cannot eat a lot of the foods we feed our fish. Second, look at how slowly they swim along feeding. Ask a manager at your fish store to feed the tank they are in with other fish. Watch how fast the other fish eat. A Mandarin will rarely ever get a piece of food unless you are dangerously overfeeding your tank.
Mandarins are generally recommended only if you have, on average, about 100Lbs of live rock producing pods.
I'll see if Bang Guy, one of the other Mods here can chime in. I believe he's one of the few posters on these forums who has a pair of mated Mandarins.
Hang in there! If may not always come across the right way, but we're all on your side here.
I hope I've given you enough kind and good advice that you'll hear what I say in the helpful way I mean it.
Mandarins very very often starve in captivity. Hot and other's answer this same question A LOT. And everytime they do someone comes along and says "Nuh,uh... I can do it..."
Can a Mandarin eat prepared foods? Sure. Do literally hundreds (if not thousands) starve because they won't? Yes... First off the next time you are at the fish store examine their mouths. They have very tiny mouths. They cannot eat a lot of the foods we feed our fish. Second, look at how slowly they swim along feeding. Ask a manager at your fish store to feed the tank they are in with other fish. Watch how fast the other fish eat. A Mandarin will rarely ever get a piece of food unless you are dangerously overfeeding your tank.
Mandarins are generally recommended only if you have, on average, about 100Lbs of live rock producing pods.
I'll see if Bang Guy, one of the other Mods here can chime in. I believe he's one of the few posters on these forums who has a pair of mated Mandarins.
Hang in there! If may not always come across the right way, but we're all on your side here.
payton 350
Member
Jessica.....please read all the archives and do searches for these questions first.....you have asked a lot today and most of these questions and answers are very common.......you can save yourself and a lot of people time if you just do the research....if you are not willing then don't and don't rely on others to do it for you........If you are having problems with the tank or setup and can't find the answers then by all means ask....we are all here to help and yes there are some neg peeps on here, but most are trying to help
reefnut
Active Member
Very seldom do Mandarins except prepared foods... it is by far the exception.
"there is just some ppl that think they know it all and there is no one else allowed to have a opinion"
There are just as many ppl that think they know everything on a subject they have no personal experience with. All opinions are welcome but we are all here in an attempt to help people get started in the right direction. Saying it can be done w/o explaining how rairly it is successful... is not sending you in the right direction... considering you will be the one watching your very expensive fish starve to death.
I have personally "murdered" two Mandarins. The first I truly did not know anything about them... MY FAULT... (the old research before you buy!!) The second I DID know better but I truly "thought" MY tank could accomodate one... despite the type of information (similar as the above information) that I was given. But hey, MY 55g tank had LOTs of pods... lots of live rock (not no 100lbs) and a sizable refuge. Although most requirements were meet... not all were... both starved to death. The second took a lot longer than the first to starve (around 6-months) but it died all the same.
In addition to having a large enough tank with a minimum of 100lbs of rock and a established pods population... you also have to be careful what other you fish add. Many fish will feed on pods also... each competing with the Mandarin food.
"there is just some ppl that think they know it all and there is no one else allowed to have a opinion"
There are just as many ppl that think they know everything on a subject they have no personal experience with. All opinions are welcome but we are all here in an attempt to help people get started in the right direction. Saying it can be done w/o explaining how rairly it is successful... is not sending you in the right direction... considering you will be the one watching your very expensive fish starve to death.
I have personally "murdered" two Mandarins. The first I truly did not know anything about them... MY FAULT... (the old research before you buy!!) The second I DID know better but I truly "thought" MY tank could accomodate one... despite the type of information (similar as the above information) that I was given. But hey, MY 55g tank had LOTs of pods... lots of live rock (not no 100lbs) and a sizable refuge. Although most requirements were meet... not all were... both starved to death. The second took a lot longer than the first to starve (around 6-months) but it died all the same.
In addition to having a large enough tank with a minimum of 100lbs of rock and a established pods population... you also have to be careful what other you fish add. Many fish will feed on pods also... each competing with the Mandarin food.
1journeyman
Active Member
I think all fish might possibly consume them. Tangs for instance might ingest them while browsing. Clowns and other fish I'm sure will eat them if they see one in the water columm.
The biggest predators I can think of on pods are Wrasses such as 4 and 6 lines.
The biggest predators I can think of on pods are Wrasses such as 4 and 6 lines.
sepulatian
Moderator
Jessica, if you are considering a mandarine down the road, also consider a refuge. You can put some of your very live rocks down there where the pods can multiply without the fish eating them. That way you always have a fresh supply of them. You still have to wait about a year and have 80-100lbs of rock but the other fish won't be able to gobble them up as quickly as they can reproduce.
Also, please note that there may be a couple of VERY opinionated people on here. Please don't let them get you down. The majority of the people on here are here to help and those "unruly" people don't last long.
bang guy
Moderator
I was asked to give my opinions, I hope nobody minds.
I have discussed Mandarin requirements a lot with many very experienced reefkeepers. Opinions vary quite a bit except everyone seems to agree that Mandarins are very hardy as long as they eat well.
I remember a reefkeeper meeting where this fish was discussed at great length. Quite a few people there claimed success with Mandarins in smaller reef systems, 29 - 40 gallons. All of them were able to supplement the Mandarins diet through the use of prepared foods. During discussions it became apparent that success was limited. Each had the belief that Mandarins can live for two or three years. The came to this belief through experience. Their fish were obviously well fed and typically lived two or three year before being replaced with another Mandarin.
My female Mandarin is 9 years old and the male is 8 years old. Clearly the expected lifespan is much greater than 3 years.
My opinion is that their fish died of malnutrition. I believe they were well fed but were not getting the required nutrients and perished after a few years. I believe that Mandarins require live Ostracodes and a variety of small crustaceans and Copepods to remain healthy long term. I agree with some of the above posts that 100 pounds of live rock per Dragonette is about right. A large refugium can be adapted to grow lots of these small animals and will work in the place of quite a bit of live rock.
Just my opinion.
I have discussed Mandarin requirements a lot with many very experienced reefkeepers. Opinions vary quite a bit except everyone seems to agree that Mandarins are very hardy as long as they eat well.
I remember a reefkeeper meeting where this fish was discussed at great length. Quite a few people there claimed success with Mandarins in smaller reef systems, 29 - 40 gallons. All of them were able to supplement the Mandarins diet through the use of prepared foods. During discussions it became apparent that success was limited. Each had the belief that Mandarins can live for two or three years. The came to this belief through experience. Their fish were obviously well fed and typically lived two or three year before being replaced with another Mandarin.
My female Mandarin is 9 years old and the male is 8 years old. Clearly the expected lifespan is much greater than 3 years.
My opinion is that their fish died of malnutrition. I believe they were well fed but were not getting the required nutrients and perished after a few years. I believe that Mandarins require live Ostracodes and a variety of small crustaceans and Copepods to remain healthy long term. I agree with some of the above posts that 100 pounds of live rock per Dragonette is about right. A large refugium can be adapted to grow lots of these small animals and will work in the place of quite a bit of live rock.
Just my opinion.
specialreef
Member
I believe those that post without an actual intend to help feel like this
@ jessica i hope i helped get something started, im not an ignorant person. But ive had alot of experience when i started posting up a year ago under another name, alot of people trying to poop all over me instead of actually helping.Noticed with my reply how they surfaced.
Take replies and study them and then do your own research the what/why would that person say that.Its kind of hard to read alot(just my opinion)but you have too,(i hate it. lol)then will it all make sense.Good luck with your Reefin'
Remember alot is possible, if your willing to make it happen.
@ jessica i hope i helped get something started, im not an ignorant person. But ive had alot of experience when i started posting up a year ago under another name, alot of people trying to poop all over me instead of actually helping.Noticed with my reply how they surfaced.
Take replies and study them and then do your own research the what/why would that person say that.Its kind of hard to read alot(just my opinion)but you have too,(i hate it. lol)then will it all make sense.Good luck with your Reefin'
Remember alot is possible, if your willing to make it happen.
1journeyman
Active Member
Originally Posted by specialreef
I believe those that post without an actual intend to help feel like this
@ jessica i hope i helped get something started, im not an ignorant person. But ive had alot of experience when i started posting up a year ago under another name, alot of people trying to poop all over me instead of actually helping.Noticed with my reply how they surfaced.
Take replies and study them and then do your own research the what/why would that person say that.Its kind of hard to read alot(just my opinion)but you have too,(i hate it. lol)then will it all make sense.Good luck with your Reefin'
Remember alot is possible, if your willing to make it happen.
Please re-read the thread. You missed the direction it was going in. I posted what is the most common concerns about this fish, and then asked Bang Guy to share his experiences. As I said, he's been very successful at keeping a mated pair.
It wasn't because you posted here, but rather what you posted. Your first post on this thread said with "time/money/dedication" you can successfully keep this fish.
While all of those things are true, if you can't provide for the basic needs of the fish they won't matter much.
I believe those that post without an actual intend to help feel like this
@ jessica i hope i helped get something started, im not an ignorant person. But ive had alot of experience when i started posting up a year ago under another name, alot of people trying to poop all over me instead of actually helping.Noticed with my reply how they surfaced.
Take replies and study them and then do your own research the what/why would that person say that.Its kind of hard to read alot(just my opinion)but you have too,(i hate it. lol)then will it all make sense.Good luck with your Reefin'
Remember alot is possible, if your willing to make it happen.
Please re-read the thread. You missed the direction it was going in. I posted what is the most common concerns about this fish, and then asked Bang Guy to share his experiences. As I said, he's been very successful at keeping a mated pair.
It wasn't because you posted here, but rather what you posted. Your first post on this thread said with "time/money/dedication" you can successfully keep this fish.
While all of those things are true, if you can't provide for the basic needs of the fish they won't matter much.