Mandarin Goby

spider9376

spider9376

Member
I have a Scooter Blenny and a Mandarin Goby. They both like to eat copeopods and other assorted little bugs... But I don't know if I'm going to run out of bugs so to speak. Is there any way I can almost artifically stock the reef with critters? Or do I have to rely completely on nature. In other words, is there a place I can buy little copeopods and stuff?
thanks Spider
 
phils29bcinwa

phils29bcinwa

Member
Originally Posted by Spider9376
http:///forum/post/2800994
I have a Scooter Blenny and a Mandarin Goby. They both like to eat copeopods and other assorted little bugs... But I don't know if I'm going to run out of bugs so to speak. Is there any way I can almost artifically stock the reef with critters? Or do I have to rely completely on nature. In other words, is there a place I can buy little copeopods and stuff?
thanks Spider
You can buy copepods on this site and you can buy them all over the web
 
nycbob

nycbob

Active Member
it can get quite expensive if u hv to constantly buy pods every week. the best way to do it is more lots of live rocks in ur display tank and get a fuge to breed more pods.
 
spider9376

spider9376

Member
I have a 55Gal and it is self Contained I don't have and filters hanging over the side so I don't know how to start a fuge since I have on way to hook it up from the bottom. I'm really lost. I need help
 
privatejoker

privatejoker

Member
Get an overflow box or have your tank drilled. I have an overflow box if you want to buy it, cheap. Sorry my wife is b*$&#ing about having to much equipment. Anyway you could have it drilled. The overflow box is going to be the easier way. I don't like them that much but if you have stuff in your tank drilling is hard to do.
 
big

big

Active Member
Originally Posted by privatejoker
http:///forum/post/2801213
Get an overflow box or have your tank drilled. I have an overflow box if you want to buy it, cheap. Sorry my wife is b*$&#ing about having to much equipment. Anyway you could have it drilled. The overflow box is going to be the easier way. I don't like them that much but if you have stuff in your tank drilling is hard to do.
Get an overflow and a sump-fuge working soon, or they will starve. And not a tiny one. It will help other issues such as nitrates and the such too.
You are on the right track , you will need more Pods soon. I feel the Scooter and Mandarin will have a higher Pod requirement that a stand alone 55 will be able to produce in pods over time.
I have a mature 72 with a nearly 50 gallon fuge and over 150 pounds in total live rock,and I have a hard time keeping up with a Scooter and a Goby for Pods. Both my wife and I have in past years wanted a Mandarin but never have wanted to watch one slowly starve to death.
You will need to supplement the Pod supply some soon or the Mandarin will eventually starve to death. Most Scooters will take very small frozens (Clyclopees and other very small foods) from what I have experienced. Their problem with starvation is sometimes their very small mouths and not enough suitable food for the little guys.
You do need to address this now or watch them starve. Sorry you need a fuge with a fairly large amount of Chaeto and rock to support both of these fish in any 55 gallon tank system for any extended period of time. Sorry........
 
mcbdz

mcbdz

Active Member

We are neighbors.

You can also add some intank fuge. You can buy those plastic suction cup soap holders and put some cheato in there and put it in the upper part of your tank. You will still need to add pods for now but this will give them a safe haven in your tank to breed. Some have also used the green plastic strawberry baskets to put over algea or rubble to keep the fish out and the pods can breed in there. Good luck. Keep trying to train them to take prepared foods also.
Pattie
 
spiderwoman

spiderwoman

Active Member
These are both in the 55g tank? How much LR do you have and how long has tank been established? I would say you should take one back to LFS as they are both pod eaters and 55 can't sustain the pod population unless you contantly supply your tank with pods.
I would not even put both in my 75g which has a refugium and a sump.
 
m0nk

m0nk

Active Member
I noted this in your other thread, but a 55g is too small for even one of those fish, let alone both. Please return them to your LFS. You won't be able to keep up the level of pods that they'd require to survive long term. One or both will likely starve within a short time.
 
spider9376

spider9376

Member
Today I fed my fish bloodworms and My Green Mandarin eat three of them, I could not believe it, Is this ok, I didn't think that they would eat anything except copeopods.
Help Thanks Spider9376
 
spider9376

spider9376

Member
ok thanks but how do I get a refugium for my tank that is self contained, I don't know anything about them.
Spider9376
 
spider9376

spider9376

Member
Hay neighbor, I c you are from Doyline, it is nice to know I'm not alone in Shreveport with Fish Questons, I really need help on that fuge, I'm so stupid when it comes to this kind of stuff, I'm really not sure how it works. Please help.
Thanks
 
shrimpi

shrimpi

Active Member
Originally Posted by Spider9376
http:///forum/post/2819893
Today I fed my fish bloodworms and My Green Mandarin eat three of them, I could not believe it, Is this ok, I didn't think that they would eat anything except copeopods.
Help Thanks Spider9376
I have two mandarins in a 24g and they eat bloodworms, live and frozen along with the occasional brine/mysis. It is imperative to supplement thier diet with frozen foods. Mine were VERY skinny when I first got them a few months ago, and now they are getting nice and fat. They also perk up and come right to the seasquirt(turkey baster thing) as soon as its feeding time. Turn off your pumps at feeding time and squirt or dump food into the tank. If they dont have to chase the food in the current they will be much happier about eating it. When they start to lose interest stir the sand a little so the frozen food moves in the water a bit again, and they will regain interest. It is actually very easy to get your mandarins to eat frozen and to stay in a small tank.. its a matter of TIME investment thats hard. you have to take the time to sit there and coax them. They learn quickly though. You also have to kind of over feed which messes with your water chemistry so you will have to keep up with water changes. Mine will also pick at cyclops. They will never stop picking around for pods in your tank, but if you can a) find a way to increase your pod population .. like a strawberry basket like mentioned before, or buying them, and b)supplement thier diet with frozen foods, you will be graced with a beautiful healthy fish!
IF your fish starts to show signs of wasting or starvation, it is very difficult to bring them back as they get sick quickly and get lethargic.. not willing to try new foods. If this happens, find someone with a large tank and donate it to them. Dont take it to the fish store, it will definitely starve to death there.
start a soapdish fuge for more immediate results. Get one of those suction cup holders you put in your shower and put it in the tank and fill it with cheato (preferrably from someones well established tank.. people sell this stuff like crazy).
like this

Good Luck
Jess
Ps, here is my male .. he was all sunken in a few months ago, now look his belly is nice and rounded.. and he is getting better each week! you CAN do this. Dont give up.

 
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