This is true, they have a horrendous survival rate. It is one of those animals that really shouldnt be imported (IMO). To properly keep one, you need a fairly large aquarium with lots of LR. You should let it run for about a year like that without any Mandrins. That will allow the copepod/amphipod population to be high. You should also have a refugium with lots of LR so that there is a continuing source of live food for the mandrin after he wipes out what is in the tank. They are continuosly looking for food, and depleting the live food population. Very rarely, you can get them to eat frozen foods, but it is not often. They will take brine shrimp, but that is not a food that will even come close to sustaining them. Also, if you are planning on getting one of these fish, dont add any other types of fish that will eat copepods and amphipods. That is direct competition for the food the mandrin needs.
There is one species that is a bit easier to get to take frozen foods. That is the brown and white one (I forgot the common name, anyone know which one I am talking about?), and is also a species of dragonette. I have one of those, and he ate frozen in the store before I brought him home. He has eaten frozen foods in my tank since then. I have had him for over a year, and he has grown quite a bit. He is not as pretty as the mandarins, but I still really like him. He is really cool and fun to watch. If I get too close to the tank, he lifts his dorsal fin (which has nice colors) and shakes around like he is real tough. Cool fish, and one that you can keep, but you have to make sure they are eating frozen before you take one home. I feed him at least once a day. If possible, twice. Right now, since I am not feeding the tank becasue I am trying to make my six line hungry enough to swim in the trap for food, I feed him really early in the morning when he is out hunting. He wakes up and starts looking for food as soon as the sun comes up and shines through the window. Anyways, long description for a short answer. If you get one, get the kind I have. IMO Shane C. > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] > Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2001 12:52 PM > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Subject: Re: compatibility > > Chris, > I was also interested in getting a mandarinfish, until every article I > read explained that their survival rate in captivity is horrendous. I was > highly advised against purchasing one, which I'm upset about because they > are such amazing fish to look at. I know that they eat amphipods, which I > do have in my tank, but you have a steady flow of them so the fish doesn't > starve. Most of the articles I've read come from: > http://www.saltaquarium.about.com/cs/mandarinfishcare/ > > HTH, > Tracy ________________________________________ LEAVING THE LIST ================ To stop receiving messages you will need to send a message to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a command to remove you from the list. The list manager controls who belongs to the list. For example: -------------------------------------------------------------- From: John Doe <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: <not needed> UNSUBSCRIBE --------------------------------------------------------------
