Do I need a Refugium for a Mandarinfish?

ERDoclovesfish

Not really sure what a refugium is/does or how to set one up. I have a 90 gallon tank w 90 lbs of LR, 80 lbs of Live sand, CUC, Urchin, Anemone, Yellow Tang, Marine Beta, Maroon Clownfish and several soft corals. I have a Sump, protein skimmer, two UV filters, 3 powerheads on a wave maker strip. I want to add a Mandarinfish but keep hearing they starve without a Refugium. Is this true? What do they eat and how would I set one up?

Kellsindell

I'd use one to be on the safe side. The reasoning behind this is because a lot of mandarins aren't quick to eat prepared food. Some do some don't, it's a hit and miss and more then not, you'll miss. The refugium will have a stock of copepods and when they have babies, they will go into the water colum and push them into the display. Given your amount of LR you would have an issue with keeping one alive or healthy. The rule of thumb is 120lbs to 1 mandarin and some say 200lbs to 1 mandarin, but other have had success with less.

how long has your tank been up? If it's less the 9mo then Don't get one yet please. You need to have a good brood stock going in the tank before you put one in there. Also, if you have any wrasse in the tank, the odds are, they are eating the copepods and you don't have any to support your mandarin.

You can try fish food by using a "mandarin Diner" , that's a more sure way of getting food to a docile fish like them, but you have to do some studying first.

aquakid

No

Kellsindell

at least explain why you say "no"

Pasfur

Let me elaborate.

No, you really should not consider keeping a Mandarin in an aquarium of your size. This fish is one of those fish that are killed on such a frequent basis that we should probably ask congress to spend 10 or 20 billion on educating the hobbyists of their requirements.

Or better yet, perhaps we could start a program that provides a free refugium to all marine hobbyists who want to have a strong desire to keep a Mandarin. After all these are such beautiful fish that it is only fair if everyone who wants one gets the opportunity to keep one at home, and I'm sure that many people are unable to afford a refugium, especially in this tough economy.

I think that is what AquaKid was trying to say.

petlover516

u need at least 75lbs of LR for a mandarin AND a refugium. like kellsindell said, its a hit or miss, but u should get 1 to be on the safe side.

ERDoclovesfish

OK, how do you set one up? What are the concepts. How do you prevent the copepods from just exiting the refugium the day you set it up? My LFS sells live Tigger or Trigger pods. Same as copepods? Could they be used as a substitute? PS, Thanks for all your help Aquakid. Maybe when you become aquaadult your posts will be even more informative :)
I do not have a wrasse in the tank. Its going about 6 months.