Chubster The New Mandarin

[ReefSparky]

Here's my new mandarin. I've waited months after creation of a 'fuge, and now since I can see a preponderance of pods, I thought the time was right. I went to my LFS and looked over the 3 they had, (not including the cigar-sized fat boys in the coral tank which aren't for sale). I observed this guy was eating well at the store, so I picked him.

He's pretty chubby considering his sedentary lifestyle, but I had him remove his smoking jacket and get his butt of the leather recliner, and home we went.

After acclimation and a quick birdseye view of the tank, he settled on one of the highest pieces of liverock, and allaying much of my concern, he was eating within 15 seconds of getting in the tank.

I gave him his smoking jacket back. He'll have to do without the recliner. ;D;D

[Scubasteve909]

I love those little guys.. I have a scooter dragonet....wish I woulda waited and got a mandarin........

[motorslave]

Nice looking fish! Keep an eye on your pod population, youd be suprised how quickly he will go through them.

[carym]

Nice, looks great, glad to see he is eating already, hope for your sake he eats frozen too....

[aquawolf]

Very nice picture and fish. When you say he is eating already, did you mean pods or prepared food?

[ReefSparky]

Originally Posted by aquawolf

Very nice picture and fish. When you say he is eating already, did you mean pods or prepared food?

Pods.

[aquawolf]

Thanks, I am always on the lookout for one that will eat prepared foods when I visit the various LFS's and curious as to how many people have them eating things other than pods. That is why I asked the question.

Best of luck with your new mandarin.

[ReefSparky]

Originally Posted by aquawolf

Thanks, I am always on the lookout for one that will eat prepared foods when I visit the various LFS's and curious as to how many people have them eating things other than pods. That is why I asked the question.

Sure. That's a good question. The LFS recommended to me that to coax a mandarin off a diet exclusive of pods, would be to start by attempting to spot feed first with fresh brine shrimp, then try frozen brine, then to mysis, etc. He says it's not too rare that mandarins eat prepared frozen or even pellet foods; it just takes some time and conditioning.

[mielikkishunt]

will you be switching him off pods? If you do, please keep us updated to your progress

[ReefSparky]

Originally Posted by mielikkishunt

will you be switching him off pods? If you do, please keep us updated to your progress

If he remains fat and constantly grazing, I guess there's no reason to. I'll keep an eye on the 'pod population. As always, I'll keep everyone apprised.

[Mizer67]

Nice looking fish. He looks tiny. How long is he?
I would try to change him over to a mixed diet before the pod population bottoms out. If he mixes it up, the pods would last longer (maybe even sustain). If you wait 'til they're gone it might be too late. Just a thought.

[Mizer67]

ps How big is your tank?

[ReefSparky]

Originally Posted by Mizer67

Nice looking fish. He looks tiny. How long is he?
I would try to change him over to a mixed diet before the pod population bottoms out. If he mixes it up, the pods would last longer (maybe even sustain). If you wait 'til they're gone it might be too late. Just a thought.

I was thinking that as I wrote the response just above yours. I think on second thought I'll take your advice. I've got nothing to lose in trying to change it over now rather than later.

The mandarin is about 1.5" long, almost as fat around as a piece of chalk! My tank's a 55gal.

[mielikkishunt]

and Reefsparky, ya help the rest of us(Me included) learn how to do this, as I want a Mandarin badly

[Mizer67]

I think Melev talks about training a Mandarin over to pellets on his web site. He even invented a feeding station so his green mandarin could get food without everyone else stealing it. I think it is melevsreef.com. If I find it later I'll post a link.