Biota Mandarins

[BigAl07]

I finally decided the tank was ready and added a pair of baby Biota Mandarins to our Reef Tank last week. I was shocked at just how tiny they really were. Upon arrival (Over Night) the female was DOA. Felicia with @Biota_Marine was extremely helpful in every respect and within a couple days the replacement female was floating in the tank acclimating. She was released into the main tank this morning after spending the night in an "Observation Container" within the main tank. She pretty much immediately went into a crevice in the rock which was to be expected.

Since they are a week apart there is a noticeable size difference but they are both so small I'm confident it won't make a different long term.

This afternoon we were casually observing the tank when the 2 Mandarins first noticed each other. Morky Mork (male's name) was strolling over some Live Rock when Mindy (female's name) came around the corner and they noticed each other. Morky Mork immediately put his dorsal fin STRAIGHT UP and they started sort of "walking around each other" pretty much checking each other out. For the rest of the evening Morky Mork was usually within a couple of inches of Mindy but both constantly picking and gobbling pods on the rock and sand.

 

[Solo McReefer]

Awwwe

Young love

 

[Buckster]

I bought a pair from Biota and they were also small. They did eat the small pellets that I fed along with smaller pieces of food. I can't believe how much they have grown. They are now in my main display doing their own thing.

 

[Slocke]

I finally decided the tank was ready and added a pair of baby Biota Mandarins to our Reef Tank last week. I was shocked at just how tiny they really were. Upon arrival (Over Night) the female was DOA. Felicia with @Biota_Marine was extremely helpful in every respect and within a couple days the replacement female was floating in the tank acclimating. She was released into the main tank this morning after spending the night in an "Observation Container" within the main tank. She pretty much immediately went into a crevice in the rock which was to be expected.

Since they are a week apart there is a noticeable size difference but they are both so small I'm confident it won't make a different long term.

This afternoon we were casually observing the tank when the 2 Mandarins first noticed each other. Morky Mork (male's name) was strolling over some Live Rock when Mindy (female's name) came around the corner and they noticed each other. Morky Mork immediately put his dorsal fin STRAIGHT UP and they started sort of "walking around each other" pretty much checking each other out. For the rest of the evening Morky Mork was usually within a couple of inches of Mindy but both constantly picking and gobbling pods on the rock and sand.

Wait till you see them do their mating dance. It’s quite spectacular. I suggest watching your tank when your lights go out.

 

[jhadaway]

I raised mine in a nano tank ar work before moving him into the dt 3-4 months later. The captive bred gobies will go down the overflow. Its worth the trouble of adding some weight in a small tank.

 

[BigAl07]

I raised mine in a nano tank ar work before moving him into the dt 3-4 months later. The captive bred gobies will go down the overflow. Its worth the trouble of adding some weight in a small tank.

Thank you. These are in my 110g tank if that matters much. They don't seem to ever go high enough to get near the OF but I could see how it could be a concern.

My only concern is I saw "Morky Mork" go inside one of my RedSea ReefWave 45's while it was off. I have the 3D printed snail/baby guards due to arrive (hopefully) tomorrow.

 

[vcnt]

Thank you. These are in my 110g tank if that matters much. They don't seem to ever go high enough to get near the OF but I could see how it could be a concern.

My only concern is I saw "Morky Mork" go inside one of my RedSea ReefWave 45's while it was off. I have the 3D printed snail/baby guards due to arrive (hopefully) tomorrow.

Another 110? What are your dimensions? mine 48x18x29

 

[BigAl07]

Another 110? What are your dimensions? mine 48x18x29

I stand corrected... It's actually approx 105USG per Waterbox and the stated dimensions are:

48.2" x 25.3" x 21.7"

 

[vcnt]

I stand corrected... It's actually approx 105USG per Waterbox and the stated dimensions are:

48.2" x 25.3" x 21.7"

Close enough xd

 

[BigAl07]

Wait till you see them do their mating dance. It’s quite spectacular. I suggest watching your tank when your lights go out.

Thus far, and it's only been a few days now, they both seem to be fairly DIUNAL instead of mostly Nocturnal.

Tonight, roughly 30 minutes after lights OUT both Mork and Mindy were in "night colors" (colors very muted) and stuck down in small holes in the rock with their small heads barely poking out. In the mornings they don't show up until about 30 minutes after the tank "wakes up" and they are fairly "pale" at first. Then a few minutes later they look normal and act "awake".

I'm wondering is they are more DIURNAL since they were raised in captivity and possibly more acclimated to Daytime than Nighttime.

Ideas?

 

[code4]

Thank you. These are in my 110g tank if that matters much. They don't seem to ever go high enough to get near the OF but I could see how it could be a concern.

My only concern is I saw "Morky Mork" go inside one of my RedSea ReefWave 45's while it was off. I have the 3D printed snail/baby guards due to arrive (hopefully) tomorrow.

maybe turn them off until they arrive. I also bought a pair. In a nursery with a few other baby biota fish. They eat most things small. But I hatch brine shrimp daily. And feed with Paul B's feeder and also just add them. Also bought a grinder from Innovative marine to grind pellets. love the grinder. Nursery is a fully cycled 20 long with sand and rock. I love mine.

 

[Slocke]

Thus far, and it's only been a few days now, they both seem to be fairly DIUNAL instead of mostly Nocturnal.

Tonight, roughly 30 minutes after lights OUT both Mork and Mindy were in "night colors" (colors very muted) and stuck down in small holes in the rock with their small heads barely poking out. In the mornings they don't show up until about 30 minutes after the tank "wakes up" and they are fairly "pale" at first. Then a few minutes later they look normal and act "awake".

I'm wondering is they are more DIURNAL since they were raised in captivity and possibly more acclimated to Daytime than Nighttime.

Ideas?

The are diurnal but for me they did their mating ritual at dusk