Mandarin Ready?

Voted no because the 6-line will decimate a pod population. all they do is hunt for pods all day long

 

Voted no on account of the six line

 

6 line is trouble. I agree with others about searching around for ORA or seeing the fish eat in person.

 

I agree that the 6-line will easily out-compete the mandarin for pods; however, I'd be reluctant to recommend an ORA-bred specimen. I've seen too many cases where, as they matured, they stopped accepting prepared foods and starved.

 

If you are going to get a mAndarin at all which would have less risk ... Tank bred or wild? Or are you referring to this specific tank ?

 

So... Here's my plan.

I've already seen a good number of pods in the display (been checking at night). So I know the 6line isn't destroying them all. Additionally, I am going to build a decent number "pod condos" (I believe I read about them on this site). This will allow me to quickly transfer pods from my huge population in the fuge.

Additionally, I am going to hold off on ordering until around Thanksgiving (time off allows me to be home for deliveries instead of sending them to work). This will give me some time to start transferring more pods from the fuge into the display. I will be following advice from the first page and be adding more macro algae.

I have heard a decent number of stories similar to what Mr Bill is saying, so I am still going to debate going with ORA or not. Ideally, my tank will be at a spot where the food thing isn't an issue.

I am prepared to deal with the aggression issue. However, I will be shocked if it comes from the 6line and not the clowns. I've added fish after having him without any incident... and I am prepared to move the 6line to the sump temporarily if needed.

 

Phyto Phyto Phyto... did I mention start adding some phytoplankton.

I am with Mr.Bill on the ORA. I have seen more post regrading being unable to feed them then post celebrating how easy they are to train. Just get the fattest one you can find and move from there.

Also you want small Zooplankton, mandarins will not eat large Amphipods, they like the Copepods. I like the idea of the pods condos.

 

I believe I have some Phyto that I won at a local reef club drawing, which works well!

And the statement about small ones is perfect, since that's what I've been seeing in my display.

 

I would highly recommend tank-bred over wild-caught with any fish. I do not, however, recommend an ORA mandarin on the pretense that it might continue accepting prepared foods. Time has proven that that is not often the case. I could only recommend a mandarin where a large pod population is established and can be maintained.

I will add, though, that there are some very informative posts here providing ways to rectify the issue.

 

Yup!

Dosed Phyto this morning. Hopefully the materials I need for the pod cods will be here in the next few days.

I think the fact I see a decent number of pods right now in my display is a good sign. And, I can't state this enough, my large fuge is CRAWLING with them. So I think the pod condos will be huge.