20vturbo 
Copepod
Posts:23
Fort Worth
 | | 10/10/2007 8:31 AM |
| I want to get a mandarin goby however I am not sure if I have any copepods? I have TONS of these amphipods. will they eat these?
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slallen
ReefChat Staff
Moray
Posts:301
Flower Mound, TX
| | 10/10/2007 9:48 AM |
| | Yes they will. In some cases they will even eash frozen Copepods or Mysis. I do have a question How long have you had your tank? The older more established it is the better when it comes to Mandarins' | |
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20vturbo
Copepod
Posts:23
Fort Worth
| | 10/10/2007 10:08 AM |
| this current tank has been about two months, but all sump contents and such came from a system that was up for about a year. Is there a way to check to see if there are copepods or should I just go buy some live ones and "seed" the fuge with them? | |
No, its not a British flag!
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slallen
ReefChat Staff
Moray
Posts:301
Flower Mound, TX
| | 10/10/2007 10:24 AM |
| It never hurts to seed the tank. The only way to tell for sure is to look very closely. They are about the size of a pin head. Let you glass get dirty for a day or so. You should be able to see them on the glass where the algae is growing. Personally I would woit a few more months before getting a Mandarin. While you sump/refusium might be from a n older tank it is still not a mature tank in the location where the fish is. Madarins will basically eat non stop. If your copepod population is not HIGH then the fish will starve.
The only other thing you can do is make sure it is eating frozen or pellet food before purchase. | |
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20vturbo
Copepod
Posts:23
Fort Worth
| | 10/10/2007 11:00 AM |
| sounds good! I am in no hurry to add one I just know I want one in the future, so I am trying to give them the best chance!  | |
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5y5tem 0verload
ReefChat Staff
Goby
Posts:114
Fort Worth, TX
| | 10/10/2007 1:57 PM |
| Props to ya for patience and planning  Posted By 20vturbo on 10/10/2007 11:00 AM sounds good! I am in no hurry to add one I just know I want one in the future, so I am trying to give them the best chance! | |
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DalaiTom
ReefChat Staff
Goby
Posts:119
North Central Texas
| | 10/10/2007 2:37 PM |
| How large is the refuge area for the pods, and the tank that would contain the Mandarin?
The reason I ask is, a Mandarin Dragonet will need to have an ongoing source of pods (unless it eats prepared foods). Mandarin's can deplete a tank of pods in a very short amount of time. Especially if there are other fish that also specialize in eating pods (like Scooter Blennies (dragonets).
The more rock, the better as this will provide more area for pods to hide and more areas for the Mandarin to search for pods. | |
May you all be well and happy.
210 mixed reef with 90 gallon sump/fuge
22 gallon frag tank
20 gallon Mantis tank | |
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20vturbo
Copepod
Posts:23
Fort Worth
| | 10/10/2007 4:05 PM |
| I have a 210G with a 75G sump (fuge area about 18x18x15) or a 400G with a 55G that will be FOWLR. I was thinking I would put it in the reef tank (the 210G) that has a naso, sohal, regal, lawnmower blenny,coral beauty, engineering goby, and 2 false percs. | |
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5y5tem 0verload
ReefChat Staff
Goby
Posts:114
Fort Worth, TX
| | 10/11/2007 8:03 AM |
| Either of those tanks should be fine when you finally decide to add it. However, like Steve said, waiting a few more months will definately improve the chances of success. The exception being that you physically see it eating frozen or pellet food in a LFS. | |
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20vturbo
Copepod
Posts:23
Fort Worth
| | 10/11/2007 7:58 PM |
| thanks guys! | |
No, its not a British flag!
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