[organicreefer]

to the new setup.it will be a 120,i will have both above and below the tank refugiums(10 g above,30 g below).i think my 93g has enough pods for 2 right now.my mandarin has been in captivity for almost three years,and is fat and happy.im pretty sure he is a he,and i will attempt to add a female.
flame away

[icemark]

Sounds fine to me. I would think in a 120 that there would be enough territory.

Maybe you'll get babies... that would be somethin'

[Aquariust]

Well, I am sure you know the "quirks" or the dragonet.

Remember, they will be competing for food.

But, with your sucsess with keeping the fat one, I'd say give it a shot. Let us know how you make out.

GL!

[Duncan]

Organic,
I would have to go with the crowd. Go for it. But be sure to keep a watchful eye to make sure that the new one is getting enough food in his foraging. And also watch for battles. Good luck.

Duncan.

[David]

I have two mandarin dragonettes in my 125, not by design, it just sort of happened and it's too much trouble to get one out. I was worried at first but it's been over five months and both seem fat and happy. They are both female, one of each type. I would of course rather have a pair of same species but as I say, this wasn't planned. I panicked about another tank and threw all it's livestock into 125 without really thinking it through. Oops.

[organicreefer]

wow,not a single negative response!
ice:that would be something!and the mandarinfish has been spawned and reared in captivity.breeding is not really my intentions(the eggs are pelagic),but i would love for them to pair up,if for nothing else than to keep each other company
david:so you have both s. picturatus(psychedelic fish,i want one just for the name )and s.splendidus(mandarinfish). awesome.i was wondering what criteria you are using to sex youre dragonets?

[David]

organicreefer- if you look at lots of these fish you will notice very distinct differences in the size of the dorsal fin. According to Tullock the males are the fish with the "greatly elongated first spine of the dorsal fin". Other hobbyists and most LFS I've talked to concur. True? Who knows, but that seems to be the accepted distinction.

For what it's worth I reccommend S. picturatus over S. splendidus and most people I've talked to agree. Great, the less attractive fish eats better and is more active than it's very beautiful cousin. The main reason I ended up with two in one tank is because I thought splendid had died and become crab food. I often don't even see that fish for a week or more at a time. Of course my observations are based on only these two fish so others may have different opinions. Good luck.

[marinelife]

I have two Mandarins in my 120 and they are fat and doing well, one is a female and one is a male. Just make sure the tank has been running for a while and you should be fine. I did try it in my 180 but for some reason the mandarins do not like to live in the tank, they always die, GOOD LUCK!!!!!!

[organicreefer]

david,
yes thats what ive read as well,the brighter fish with the elongated dorsal fin is the male.i realize that picturatus is considered hardier,but my mandarin is doing fine and i dont anticipate any trouble with another.my mandarin is somewhat shy as well,but i do see him everyday.