mandarin in a bb tank

[jbeltmann]

Does anyone who is running bb have a mandarin? I have been bb for a little over a month and still am getting used to it. I am worried that without any sand in my display or refugium that I might not have enough pods for him to eat. I don't have a ton of rock either which is great for my flow but not for pods. Should I be worried about adding a mandarin? My tank is 75g with a 30g sump/refugium with a duplexium concept incorporated.

[Jflip2002]

Dont both getting one, he will just die in a BB. You need lots of rock, and it should be a very well established tank with a high pod population. Something BB tanks dont have. He'll just starve and die.

[reefmanwannabe]

If its a green manderin I agree with jflip , but if its a spotted mandering you might be able to get it to eat other things . I have one and it LOVES frozen blood worms . I feed my fish 4 different types of foods and thats the only thing I've seen it eat . It usually just swims past everything else . Ask at the petstore you go to if your can see it eat and if they could give it something else to see if it'll eat it before you buy or condem buying it .

[luvmylo]

I wouldn't try. One of the great things about bb tanks are lack of waste in the system. Without this waste, pods aren't going to do so hot.

[jbeltmann]

I would go with a spotted mandarin if I do decide to get one. BTW, I have had most of my rock for over 5 years if not longer and when I was cooking it I would see pods everywhere. If I did decide to get one down the road should I get rods food to be on the safe side?

[luvmylo]

I would go in the store with some rods food and try to feed the one you are thinkin bout buyin.

[Loverotties]

I wouldn't do it.

[jbeltmann]

I hope everybody is basing what they say on experience and not my post count. I have be reefing for over 7 years and have done well with sps, clams, and such so please don't think I am some newb who has to have a mandarin because they are pretty. I am also very ethical about the care of these animals so if anyone does actually have a mandarin in a bb tank those responses would be greatly appreciated. I am in no rush to add one, just want to know if there is anything extra I should be aware of with having a bb tank. Luvmylo, I guess I am not following the whole waste thing correlating to pod reproduction. I am under the impression that adding phyto would add to the pod population. Thoughts?

[ScruffyRubicon]

Post count aside here. I would give the same advise to everyone: Don't do it. You really do need lots of rock and a very mature take to pull a mandarin off. More often than not, you won't find one that will eat enough prepared food to keep it alive. Beautiful creature that is best kept in a large, mature tank or left in its natural environment.

[Scruffys Catch]

We have a bb and I wouldn't put a mandrarin in it. We have had enough problems keeping them alive in our 125. There is just not enough pods in a small tank to keep them fead. I hope you deside not to get one. They are very pretty though.

[mielikkishunt]

what's 'rod's food'?

[Nyles]

I typically would not do it, I have a mandrin and BB but I run a large refugium, even with that I would be sceptical, the only reason I think mine is big and fat is he eats prepared foods as well.

[dobejazz]

Originally Posted by mielikkishunt

what's 'rod's food'?

Renee here is a link to the food - it's awesome stuff


http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...ory_Code=Mysis

[jbeltmann]

Nyles, what size tank do you have and what would you consider a large refugium?

[Scruffys Catch]

If you deside to get one I would make sure it will eat prepread food before releasing it into the tank.