Dragonet Questions

[tronicsdr]

How many Mandrin Gobies can I add to a tank??

I have so many pods it would make most people sick!! Big ones, little ones, different shapes and sizes.. when my lights go out at night I will often peer in my tank with a red light just to see my cleaning crew work but the pods are about out of control!! I was thinking about adding 2 Mandrins or possibly three maybe a mandrin and target combo... I didn't see anything about 1 per tank but was looking for some experienced comments...

I have a well established 125, I just moved it but it is thriving like I never touched it..

 

[sleeper]

Hey Tronics-
IMO you should probably stick to one, or even one pair (male/female) with any of the synchiropus genus, like mandarins, scooters, psychadelics, whatever.
It's not so much the pods; I've seen successful mandarins in 20 gallons because the owner trained it to eat prepared food. It's more of a territoriality issue. In a tank THAT big you might be able to get away with a male and 2-3 females but I think it's pushing it.
On the other hand, there's a lot of contradicting info on whether you can mix species within the genus (like you were saying, a couple mandarins, a couple "targets"). I've heard both cases and haven't tried it myself. As always, I would err on the side of caution.

 

[burtrippey]

Ive heard that if you put a male and female together and have a moon light they will dance together. I guess the show is amazing! I would really like to get a pair my tank is just to new.

 

[tronicsdr]

Keep the comments coming! My initial thought was basically the same as sleepers about using caution.. but then I thought I might be better to add both (I was only toying w/ the thought of 3) at the same time so no one is dominant and everyone would just get along... I have never seen a web site that sell a "pair" of mandrins or a site to specify a specific --- that you could order. If I remember my books right a male has the "sail" on his pectoral fin right??
Any thoughts are appreciated, especially anyone with Experience in keeping multiple mandrins!!

 

[reefiness]

i thought i heard that you can only have one male in tha tank but you could have as many females as you wated as long as you dont over stock... mabye i heard wrong :notsure: