Mandarin Q's

[cyberwollf]

So being a newbie to Mandarins, I have plenty of rock and "pods" in my tank, but after a quick lesson turns out they are Amphipods (I've never noticed Copepods).  I got some Copepods but they disappeared like dust in the tank 

For those that had bad fortune with Mandarins, any bad signs other than being skinny?

It picks at the rocks every few seconds, but i can't see it actually eating anything, Do they just pick at rocks or does that mean he is actually finding food?

Other Advice?

[cyberwollf]

ok, to back up one step, Will Mandarins eat the little Amphis? have tons of the little flea size.

I also see some that maybe could eat the Mandarin

[Aquatic Specialists]

When they are picking at the rocks, they are eating young copepods. The copepods have thier young on the rocks and plants in your tank.

[TechGuy]

You can't see their food unless its on the glass. They are very small, less than 1mm. A well established tank is what they need to survive. A fuge/sump with Macro algae will help the pods breed as well.

[cyberwollf]

So they really don't eat any of the flea sized amphi's? They seem like the perfect size for them

[harleyrider]

You can't see their food unless its on the glass. They are very small, less than 1mm. A well established tank is what they need to survive. A fuge/sump with Macro algae will help the pods breed as well.

I agree with you on a well established tank, in my opinion, which is only my opinion, the tanks should be set up and established for at least a year before putting one in your tank, they will look good and seem ok, but then a lot of times they start going down hill and you lose them! most of the people i know that put them in their tanks , had there tanks set up less than a year.  it usually happins after having them 2-4 months that they start going down hill, on the other hand ive seen people thats had their tanks set up for years and put one in and no problems at all, but each tank is different. good luck

[cyberwollf]

Well I meet all those requirements, that's why I waited to get one. Are there any signs of it going downhill To look for other than being skinny? 

It stays on one section of rock picking around, I would assume that's good? I figure if he wasn't finding food he would be searching more of the tank

[cyberwollf]

FINALLY CRAWLED IN!!! I threw this little jar in a few months ago and put food in it, but it never worked. When i saw he was in there i ran and dissolved a cube of baby brine. I know its not the best food, but better than nothing. seemed to like it alot. Maybe I'll try some of the Tiny Spectrum pellets.

BUT, my Purple stripe Psuedochromis is picking at the mandrin. His tail looks horrible, and there's a split in his dorsal fin today... Dont really want to get ride of the psuedochromis (first fish i bought), but this sucks.