Kung Fu Spider Crab Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 After a year and a half of watching and getting other substrate and sand from more established tanks I bought a Mandarin. Spot lighting at night I was able to see copepods everywhere so I felt confident there was adequate food supply. My question comes from what happened.... he died. I believe this is the result of being beaten up by my six yellowtail damsels and possibly my 3 green chromis. Has anyone ever had something like this happen before? I knew the yellow tail were very territorial considering they went after my arm anytime my hand was in the tank. I also noticed when I first put him in that a number of the yellow tail didn't like where he was hanging out. The day before finding him nearly upside down I noticed he was picking up some sand in his mouth and seemed to be doing pretty good. There were a few marks on his body and my feeble attempt at trying to nurse him back didn't help. Of course I didn't try mouth to mouth. Just wanted to ask if anyone has had a similar experience with these fish being so agressive? I've read up on the mandarin and felt comfortable with the needs and it appeared to be doing well the day before. Also, if anyone is interested, I'm thinking of getting rid of the potential offenders. Thanks!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wegotjs Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 Was his stomach shrunken in ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgf86123 Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 spider, my suggestion for the offenders is to do one of 2 things, you can either a, sentence them to death for murder of a fellow tank inhabitant, or, b, trade them in at your LFS, either 1 will work, but option 2 will allow you to possibly get another mandarin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ciao Posted January 7, 2010 Share Posted January 7, 2010 I say get borrow a lionfish for a day or two and let him at them.........then we'll see who's big man on campus! LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JasonH Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 I didn't think Mandarines got picked on much in general - isn't their skin toxic? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wegotjs Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 I also thought that. I havent seen a mandarin ever be picked on. I was thinking died of something else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kung Fu Spider Crab Posted January 8, 2010 Author Share Posted January 8, 2010 Stomach seemed to look fine. I'm thinking he got beat up because when I first put him in the yellowtail swatted at the mandarin. I also then witnessed another swim by the same day. I just figured there needed to be a little time for everyone to get familiar. I also looked to see if there was the same amount of copepods, which there wasn't. Seemed to be a significant reduction in the number I was able to find on the rocks at night. I like the idea of the lion fish, but he'd probably eat some of the other things I have too. Then I'd have to do something with him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
reef165 Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 You also gotta ask how long it was in the store. I try not to buy fish unless they have been in the store for at least a week. I've had much better survival with my fish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kung Fu Spider Crab Posted January 8, 2010 Author Share Posted January 8, 2010 You know... an order was made and I went in and got him prob within 24-48 hours of getting to the store. Good advice. I did take some time in acclimating him to my tank, but that apparently didn't help either. I've read they will sometimes accept food that isn't alive, any tips on that for furture fish? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bitricker Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 love the lion fish idea ... lol. If I didn't have other small fish that's how I'd get the damsels out of my tank. As it is I think I'll go get some glue to fix the fish trap instead, since I finally have a day off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgf86123 Posted January 8, 2010 Share Posted January 8, 2010 I've read they will sometimes accept food that isn't alive' date=' any tips on that for future fish?[/quote'] check out melevs reef spider, all of his mandarins eat prepared food, he even has this deal he calls a mandarin diner, you'll have to look around, but, his site is well worth looking at, he's got an absolutely awesome set up just click the bolded words LOL one is a link his website, the other is a link to his diner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
talkalot82 Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 i have many mandrins and If a fish bites them the attacking fisht will die. I had a loinfish try to eat one and he died with the mandrin in his mouth. If you buy a mandrin always ask if they have seen them eat. Even if you have copepods some mandrins wont eat in captivity. they will starve to death. its very rare but I have seen them bred so if you can find a tank raised one than you will have better chances Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
talkalot82 Posted January 13, 2010 Share Posted January 13, 2010 also dont put them in with anything else that eats copepods such as a wrasse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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