Mandarin Dragonet Question

[fishgirl08]

I am new to the saltwater aquarium hobby. I have inherited an established tank. One of the fish in the tank is a Mandarin Dragonet. Can anyone tell me about its behavior? I noticed it likes to hang out at the bottom, but I would love to know more about it. Thanks!

 

[bizzmoneyb]

They are very docile. Does the tank have live rock? Mandarins mainly eat copepods which live in the rocks. If its a well established tank and hes been there awhile its probably got a real good population going on already. If not you'll need to try to buy some and get them going. Ive also heard some people have success feeding them mysis shrimp.

 

[fishgirl08]

The tank does have live rock. The dragonet will accept some frozen shrimp too. Thanks for the advice!

 

[olingerjccj]

not to take over your thread but can you them in a bottle or something

 

[michaeltx]

you are very lucky to have one that eats frozen foods. most that are sold do not and have a low survival rate in a smaller tank. They only eat pods and small shrimp items like mysis and enriched brine. they are very cool fishes and are very timid at times. they continously cruise the tank in search of pods even if they eat frozen foods.
Mike

 

[schnutzzy]

My manderin is hunting pods 24/7. He is very docile and cruises the bottom, the glass, but mostley is always poking around in the live rock. He moves real slow so he doesn't miss anything. They are cool fish and very pretty, but hunting pods like there is no tomorrow. Enjoy him.