Mandarin Goby in a 28g nanocube

might i add, i am getting ready to go to a sump/refugieum now, just got a 20 gal tank yesterday, and ordered the return pump, then ill have the cheato stuff for fresh pods and i'll cut back on the take out delivered food

 

IMO you are going to end up spending at least $50 in copepds each week. U will need a large tank in a large refugium to get around this. To me it because it will probably end up dying in a small trank like that anyways...

 

ahh I see. thanks for the info. I hadn't known it was a 75 though; keeping all those fish and a mandarin happy must be a really great feat to have accomplished

 

A refugium is not always necessary, but once you get the mandarin you probably want to start training it to eat frozen while having enough pods for it if it doesn't work out for the first few days.

 

When I got the mandarin it was already eating frozen reef caviar. I dint even know they were difficult till I joined here.

 

then you're very lucky.

 

Mandarins are a VERY VERY VERRRRRY heated topic, to say the least.... i think some of use know why this turned out peaceful :...i will miss him
though

 

Speaking of mandarins, I believe that the smaller species is the target mandarin and the bigger species include the blue, red, and green ones.

 

there is actually only 3 or 4 mandarins of the synchiropus (family or genus?) red blue and green are all color morphs, kinda like the different kinds of clownfish. There is target, the Synchiropus splendidus (red green blue) and scooter blennies. and targets get up to 4" too

 

Gobezilla is starving to death! That one SKINNY mandarin! He won't survive long term in your tank with his bones showing like that. They should be smooth and a little rounded in the least. Round like little cigars is the best. Before you are saying you have had success with your methods, you should be careful that you actually ARE having success. I don't mean that in an unkind way. People will base their own practices on your success claims.... but, I'm sorry to say, an alive but starving mandarin is not success. Turn that little guy around before he dies and you will be able to say you were indeed successful.

Phyto will bump up your pod population, producing more food for your mandy.