@blackpearlreef 1y

Following this happened to mine today too 😔

@CaliReef1 1y

Is this a new tank or it’s been up for a while. I only ask because I’ve read that stress from shipping can cause them to act the way they do . Or how they are acclimated into the new tank as well.

@Allie231 1y

My tank is pretty new it’s about 6 month old and I got him from my local fish store then drip acclimated. He also started burrowing himself in the sand which is scaring my a little cuz he’s never done that before

@AcroPoor 1y

Sorry but 6 months old is way too young for a dragonette…. parameters are the first thing that come to mind (alk, ammonia, nitrates) that could do harm to your fish. However even if the dragonette were to survive the initial week, they mostly scavenge for small bugs called copepods in your tank. In a new tank, especially smaller ones, your copepod population is highly unlikely to sustain a dragonette’s diet. That is unless, your local reef shop knows it’s been eating brine or other foods. In advance, I would ask your local reef shop to feed the fish first before you buy it so you can buy with confidence.

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@MalEficent 1y

I have had my mandarin for 2.5 months, my tank is almost 3mo and my rock is 7mo and came from a tank with a pod population. I add pods still and he’s gone from very skinny to fat and happy. I don’t think it’s necessarily that the tank is too young but just that maybe the tank wasn’t ready for him. They generally don’t eat frozen or prepared foods, mine and most others only eat copepods. If you don’t regularly stock them on a newer tank he’s probably starving himself to death. Is his belly sunken, flat, or full?

@Allie231 1y

Oh noo I feel so awful. The people at the fish store had told me he’d be fine with the food I have. I really should’ve done my own research on them. His belly is flat. Do you think it’s not too late if I get pods for him first thing in the morning?

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@MalEficent 1y

I would definitely give it a shot. It can’t hurt. Your tank would highly benefit from them anyways. They are a great addition to any tank, but a must for a mandarin. If he starts eating them that’s a great sign because if he eats he’s likely to rebound. If he’s too far gone then he probably won’t even attempt to eat at that point.

@Nicholas378 1y

I’ve had 2 mandarins before and they died because I wasn’t prepared enough for the feeding requirements. One was one of my first fish and that was a huge mistake. I’ve heard that they can be difficult to keep well fed and they are. I’ve since learned that they are better for someone who’s been in the hobby for a while and I learned that the hard way. But don’t beat yourself up we’ve all had to learn things by trial and error

@Allie231 1y

Thank you guys so much for your help and encouragement. I really appreciate it! I just got some copepods and put them in my tank so hopefully he’ll start eating them and make a full recovery :)