log of a mandarin comeback

[zuzecawi]

Thought this guy was toast when I got him at the LFS. First two pics are him on arrival... last ones are past couple months to now. This is in my 58 oceanic w/20gal sump/fuge and 180lbs rock mixed softy-n-montipora reef. Just goes to show smaller can be just as nice when properly managed... which still isn't slowin me down on the 135 project!

edit:whoops, pics are in reverse order!!! skinny is on bottom, now on top

 

[FishFrik]

Looks like he went from skinny to overweight Good job!

 

[zuzecawi]

Nah, not overweight, just a normal healthy mandarin. If you see them smaller than that, they're suffering from malnutrition. An interesting note... this guy now eats from the water column. When I drop in frozen, he comes up and snatches it with the rest. Started with mysis and now he even eats prime reef. Loves his baby brines when I make them, but my airpump went belly up so I haven't hatched any in ages. My pod pop is still booming too. I add about two lbs of red gracilaria every few weeks, that helps.

 

[StripesTheEel]

Nice job, good to see a healthy mandarin