Unresolved Mandarin. Had him a week, would like a checkup.

Hey guys, I know this isn't much of an emergency, but I have had this little guy almost a week, and I'd like to just get your opinions on how he looks. Thanks!

 

They best way to tell if he is getting enough food is to look at him from underneath. Do you have a good pod population?

 

No, I have been feeding cyclops because the LFS said he would. On another note, he is shy, so getting these pictures was a struggle. I'll try to get his stomach soon.

 

It is a really difficult angle to get, but it is the best way to see if he is feeding enough. Do you notice him eating the prepared food you are offering?

 

Here are the (very blurry) fruits of my labor.

 

I have definitely seen him eat the cyclops, but I don't think he's getting enough, because he'll take a huge gulp, then forget about the rest of it.

 

Can't view photos but I'll never buy one of these. They all starve to death

 

I suppose it's possible but I doubt it.

Google feeding Mandarins Nutramar's Ova, and how to train Mandarins to eat from a feeding stations. Once you wait until you see a shrunken appearance to the abdomen it's too late. If your person at the LFS was only feeding cyclops the Mandarin might already be nutritionally challenged. Images from above help to judge girth as well, we need to see girth.

There is an over abundance of information on the web regarding the specifics of feeding Mandarins and the specific type of pods they can eat. Not all pods or pod size will work with Mandarins.

 

So, I've been researching my tank, and found some pods I almost scared to death, and noticed him "hunting" for some cyclops. The guy at the LFS never fed him, actually, because they told us when they had a shipment and we came and bought him. My biggest problem is, every time I come into the room, he hides (he can't very well, he's fat). Should I get better pictures, or what?