Mandarin spotted in the wild

[dazed_knots]

I've been eyeing a spotted mandarin for my nano, it's 5 months old now. Just wondering if there's anything I should be aware of before adding it. Should I give it a bit more time? Any thoughts would be great, thanks!

[dusked6]

I've been eyeing a spotted mandarin for my nano, it's 5 months old now. Just wondering if there's anything I should be aware of before adding it. Should I give it a bit more time? Any thoughts would be great, thanks!

If this is indeed the 10g tank you mentioned elsewhere, I'd advise against it. With three fish, you're already pushing the limits of what's considered safe stocking.

[onyx_8]

I agree with LLJ, adding more fish to a 10g tank seems like overstocking to me. Mandarin fish are notoriously finicky - some will only eat live food, which can be an issue in a relatively young tank like yours, with a pod population that's still developing. You'd need to consider culturing your own food, which isn't rocket science, but it's an extra thing to think about.

They're also pretty timid and slow, so you'd need to ensure they're not tankmates with anything too boisterous. I know it's not what you want to hear, but many people buy these fish without realizing how high-maintenance they can be, and they end up struggling. I hope this helps, even if it's not the answer you were hoping for.

[dazed_knots]

Considering the tank with the mocha clowns, I'm wondering if it'll be a better fit once it's mature. It'll also be getting a rose anemone and a tridacnid, but I'm thinking that might work out okay.

[onyx_8]

What's the size of the other tank, by the way?

[dazed_knots]

That one's 10 gallons.

[onyx_8]

Again sorry, but I really wouldn't. I know some people say it's okay, but I think even a pair of clowns in a 10-gallon tank is pushing it.

[dusked6]

I agree with LLJ, adding more fish to a 10g tank seems like overstocking to me. Mandarin fish are notoriously finicky - some will only eat live food, which can be an issue in a relatively young tank like yours, with a pod population that's still developing. You'd need to consider culturing your own food, which isn't rocket science, but it's an extra thing to think about.

They're also pretty timid and slow, so you'd need to ensure they're not tankmates with anything too boisterous. I know it's not what you want to hear, but many people buy these fish without realizing how high-maintenance they can be, and they end up struggling. I hope this helps, even if it's not the answer you were hoping for.

I'm with you on not having an anemone in a 10g, except maybe a maxmini or rock flower anemone. I'm sorry, I know this isn't what you want to hear. In my experience, anemones just don't do well in small tanks. I've never had anemones in my picos, only in my 36g, and that's after it was established for at least 6 months. And even then, I stuck with rock anemones, which are pretty easy to care for compared to other species.