Green mandarin???

[MT79]

How mature should a tank be before adding 1 of these fish? In general of course.

 

[steve-s]

One year is the recommended "guideline" but the age of the set up is not the only thing to worry about. You must also ensure there is enough LR in the main tank to allow proper breeding areas for pods as well as ensuring you take steps to promote the population growth unhindered by predation. The larger the main tank with an attatched refugium the better.

If you are planning this for your 30 gal, I would advise against it. There is not really enough grazing area to supply pods long term even with a fuge. You must also make sure there are no species in direct competition for the pods such as wrasses, gobies and other planktonic feeders.

Cheers
Steve

 

[beachbumin]

I havent realy heard of anybody having much luck with Mandarins. They are very diff. to keep espec. in a smaller tank as steve said. You might want to try something like a flame hawk IMO. 8)