Manadarin instead of sixline?

Captain Clam · 10-03-2002, 05:50 PM

I know alot of us have sixline wrasses to help maintain our clam tanks. I've always thought madarin's are super cool fish (original idea huh?). I was wondering if anyone knew if they would eat pyramidellid snails like sixlines are supposed to and basically perform the same services that the wrasse does? I know a madarin needs a much higher pod population and I am aware of the requirements for keeping them, but do you think they would do the same job?

EastCoastClams · 10-03-2002, 08:34 PM

I would stick with a 6 line. A Mandarin while very cool, would not be a good guy for hopefull snail removal. Needs much smaller prey, now may possibly eat the snails in a larval stage, but who knows.

Barry N. · 10-03-2002, 11:25 PM

I would have to agree, stay with the six-line.

Barry

JT · 10-04-2002, 05:26 PM

I'll have to agree with Barry and Rob here. However, if you want something different for bug and parasitic snail control, take a good look at a Wardley's wrasse (H. melanurus). It has been one of our favorites for parasite control in clam tanks for the past 7 years.

- JT @ HarborAquatics

dattack · 10-04-2002, 05:45 PM

Would a Harlequin Tusk do anything for pyramidal snails?

***Reefland*** · 10-04-2002, 10:53 PM

Wouldn't the Harlequin get an appetite for the clam itself? I don't know anything about them other than they are not reef safe and they are a beautiful fish!

Scott Z.

JT · 10-05-2002, 01:32 PM

Harelquin Tusks (Lienardella fasciata) are big carnivores and not suited to reef-tanks at all. All crustaceans and shellfish are fair game when it comes to feeding, I don't think one would stop after munching on a few pyramidal snails.

- JT @ HarborAquatics

SueT · 10-05-2002, 02:37 PM

I had really good luck with the yellow coris wrasse for the bad snail control. Before my overgrown, bully, maroon clown chased the coris out of the tank I never had a single pyramidillae{sp} on any of my clams in the 180. They are a beautiful yellow and this fish was so cool til "Fred" chased it out of my enclosed canopy. Imagine that..... I have had both the 6-line and the yellow both worked good for me. I am not sure a mandarin could keep body weight up or if they are even interested in those snails. Great idea though.

my 180 ecosystem sps/clam tank:
http://berlinmethod.com/suet/
my 120 ecosystem sps tank:
http://suetruett.homestead.com/home.html

10-03-2002, 05:50 PM	#1
Captain Clam Citizen Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Littleton, CO Posts: 131	Manadarin instead of sixline? (in clam tank) I know alot of us have sixline wrasses to help maintain our clam tanks. I've always thought madarin's are super cool fish (original idea huh?). I was wondering if anyone knew if they would eat pyramidellid snails like sixlines are supposed to and basically perform the same services that the wrasse does? I know a madarin needs a much higher pod population and I am aware of the requirements for keeping them, but do you think they would do the same job? Last edited by Captain Clam; 10-03-2002 at 06:17 PM.

10-03-2002, 08:34 PM	#2
EastCoastClams Just Moved In Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 13	I would stick with a 6 line. A Mandarin while very cool, would not be a good guy for hopefull snail removal. Needs much smaller prey, now may possibly eat the snails in a larval stage, but who knows. __________________ It's only money!

10-03-2002, 11:25 PM	#3
Barry N. Sponsor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: San Diego Posts: 1,034	I would have to agree, stay with the six-line. Barry __________________ Barry ClamsDirect.Com

10-04-2002, 10:53 PM	#6
*Reefland* Owner Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Bardstown, KY Posts: 13,161	Wouldn't the Harlequin get an appetite for the clam itself? I don't know anything about them other than they are not reef safe and they are a beautiful fish! Scott Z. __________________ Scott Z. 75 Gallon Reef Log Powered by Reefland's Personal Online Aquarium Log

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10-04-2002, 05:26 PM	#4
JT Just Moved In Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 17	I'll have to agree with Barry and Rob here. However, if you want something different for bug and parasitic snail control, take a good look at a Wardley's wrasse (H. melanurus). It has been one of our favorites for parasite control in clam tanks for the past 7 years. - JT @ HarborAquatics

10-04-2002, 05:45 PM	#5
dattack Council Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: anaheim, CA Posts: 347	Would a Harlequin Tusk do anything for pyramidal snails?

10-05-2002, 01:32 PM	#7
JT Just Moved In Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 17	Harelquin Tusks (Lienardella fasciata) are big carnivores and not suited to reef-tanks at all. All crustaceans and shellfish are fair game when it comes to feeding, I don't think one would stop after munching on a few pyramidal snails. - JT @ HarborAquatics

10-05-2002, 02:37 PM	#8
SueT Mayor Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Houston,Tex. USA Posts: 544	I had really good luck with the yellow coris wrasse for the bad snail control. Before my overgrown, bully, maroon clown chased the coris out of the tank I never had a single pyramidillae{sp} on any of my clams in the 180. They are a beautiful yellow and this fish was so cool til "Fred" chased it out of my enclosed canopy. Imagine that..... I have had both the 6-line and the yellow both worked good for me. I am not sure a mandarin could keep body weight up or if they are even interested in those snails. Great idea though. my 180 ecosystem sps/clam tank: http://berlinmethod.com/suet/ my 120 ecosystem sps tank: http://suetruett.homestead.com/home.html

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