Mandarin copepod cultures

[almostdiva]

Hey guys! I just ordered a marine copepod culture kit from LFS cultures in University Mississippi. The guy called me to talk about my order and what I wanted it for, he seemed pretty knowledgable. Anybody use these guys before? Anyone ever "done' a 'pod tank? I bought a gorgeous, FAT psychadelic mandarin over the weekend, and she's fine for now (she's definitely a girl -- doesn't have that really prominent fin the males do) eating what's in the system, since it's pretty established, but I want to set something up for long-term success.


Also - - he is going to send me an additional culture of grindal worms (Enchytraeus buchholzi), he said most of his customers are fresh water fish keepers and these worms are used to feed almost anything. I looked them up online -- there are multiple references to them being an excellent, high-protein nutritional fresh water food and a couple bulletin boards say they are suitable for marines. Has anyone ever tried them before? Any thoughts on whether I should try them??

thanks!

Rebecca

[sihaya]

I could be wrong, but I don't think a regular tank is the best way to culture copepods. I remember trying to do this a long while back, and I read it's better to use jars (or other such small containers). I forget the details though. I do now there's a a decent amount of info on this if you do a google search.

Honestly though, I do think the best way to keep a mandarin is simply to have a big tank with lots of well-established live rock. A good-sized refugium might help too.

You also might try supplimenting with live brine. I had a mandarin once upon a time that would eat live brine shrimp. I know they need copepods too, but I think it helps if you can get them to take other food too.

Good luck

[almostdiva]

The various online articles say use anything from a 1 gal glass jar w a lid to a 10g tank (which is what I have and planned to use). you're right, there's plenty of articles out there out of aquatics journals, etc on how to go about doing it. It sounds pretty easy. I do have a good amount of rock, and the tank is over 4 years old (it's been moved twice in that time, so taken down and reassembled). It has been up and running in the current location a little over 2 years.

Rebecca

[reseter5]

i got my mandarin to eat brine.. even the frozen kind... even though i have copes in my tank and refugium..

[smidoid]

My pods seem to come and go. I can't figure out what's happening to them!?