Food training
- Thread starter TMartinez
- Start date
![DSCN0975[1].JPG](https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/data/attachments/520/520587-f1af37bca273321139e1ace79e63ea8f.jpg?hash=8a83vKJzMh "DSCN0975[1].JPG")
![DSCN0979[1].JPG](https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/data/attachments/520/520588-72a08b1f847b909ac03e39239211b704.jpg?hash=cqCLH4R7kJ "DSCN0979[1].JPG")
![DSCN0978[1].JPG](https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/data/attachments/520/520589-7255d561ef22a64a124709354f82f939.jpg?hash=clXVYe8ipk "DSCN0978[1].JPG")
![DSCN0981[1].JPG](https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/data/attachments/520/520590-7b094ddf699285569618f0f02644d83f.jpg?hash=ewlN32mShV "DSCN0981[1].JPG")
Try presoaking 3-4 pellets in with some of the mysis juice, and then feed those pellets in the AM when the fish will be the hungriest. Wait an hour or so before feeding any mysis, giving the mandarin a chance to try the pellets. The smell of the mysis should eventually illicit a feed response from the fish, and being presoaked will soften them up which will increase palatability. The main thing is to keep at it, as previously mentioned luck can be important, but patience & perseverance is even more important.
Good luck, nice fish!
ok... i'll try that in the am... And the breeder net won't stress out the mandarin? seems so confined
I would agree with soaking them in the mysis juice that should help. And no it won't stress them out. With one of my scooters I had him in there for almost 6 months and he kept on growing the entire time. It does seemed cramped but they work very well in them. You will be worse off releasing them early than leaving them in there too long.
And great pictures!
And great pictures!
Not sure if it's any difrnt than a net - I've noticed that my LFS uses a feeder "cricket" box inside the tank to ween new fish. Great new bout' the mysis - and beautiful fish.
Some people have gotten them to take NLS by putting live brine/mysis into the net. They swarm the NLS and the mandarin eats it all at once. Since your mandarin is taking frozen brine and mysis you should try that.
Here is a pic from this am... He's back in the tank.. Eating mysis shrimp regularly as well as NLS... He prefers the shrimp but hey as long as he's happy
![DSCN1014[1].JPG](https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/data/attachments/522/522646-d1261393271d70ca8f31e7ec19e6e805.jpg?hash=0SYTkycdcM "DSCN1014[1].JPG")
![DSCN1015[1].JPG](https://www.monsterfishkeepers.com/forums/data/attachments/522/522647-b5497e2dcd2767da4b782255d59f5e28.jpg?hash=tUl-Lc0nZ9 "DSCN1015[1].JPG")
Sweet...keeping my fingers crossed for you.
Looks like I am getting one now as well, but trying to get my hands on one of the ORA "blues".
http://www.orafarm.com/products/fish/dragonets/blue-mandarin.html
Looks like I am getting one now as well, but trying to get my hands on one of the ORA "blues".
http://www.orafarm.com/products/fish/dragonets/blue-mandarin.html
Sweet. Let me know how it goes... Mine seems to be more adventurous after being in the breeder box. Out a lot more and what not...
It is by far my favorite tank inhabitant
It is by far my favorite tank inhabitant
