Got My Dream Fish!!!

[thejoie]

I've been wanting a mandarin dragonette for the last 5 years. Ever since I've started into saltwater tanks. I have read everything I can. I've read forums. People's experiences. They are a difficult fish to own. They eat live foods called copepods. They're the teeniest saltwater critters. It's possible to get them to eat frozen foods and that's going to be what I start to attempt once he settles in.
Until he's trained to eat frozen, I'm going to dish out a small fortune on the live copepods. I'm going to attempt to start my own culture of copepods- I've researched how but it's a specialized process and there are many factors

I am so in love. I almost cried when I bought him!! I wasn't planning on it today. I went to one of my favorite pet stores and they were having a sale. And there was a tank with a few of them in there. I saw him and almost passed out. He was so FAT and healthy looking! I've never seen one that fat in a pet store before. My boyfriend encouraged me and I couldn't say no...

I haven't named him yet.

I'm so nervous!!! I'm going to start my copepod culture tomorrow and I'm going to order more pods online. But I have them available at the store near me if I need more.

Anyway- here he is! He's stunning. I wish I had a better camera so I can really show you guys how amazing he is!

 

[rikkitikki]

Wow! Look at the colors, I can only imagine they're more brilliant in person! I need to look these guys up online, learn about them

 

[Ranyart]

Awesome fish! I wish you luck - sounds like you really did your research - it was his lucky day to be bought by you!

 

[zoomama]

OMG....I don't know anything about fish, but he is gorgeous!! Good luck with him, and congratulations!!

 

[jennluna]

How beautiful--good luck!

 

[itzmered]

oh wow he is beautiful Joanna!

 

[Birdasaurus]

I don't know anything about fish, but he's gorgeous!

 

[thejoie]

She needs a name!! I'm not sure what to name her...*Thanks Carmie*

 

[CarmieJo]

She's (males have an elongated dorsal ray) beautiful. How big is your tank? How much rock do you have? Do you know how to make pod piles?

 

[Birdiemarie]

Stunning!!

 

[GG.]

so beautiful Joanna!!

 

[Alex]

Beautiful! I didnt know you had a saltwater tank! Wait till Houston sees this

 

[thejoie]

I have a 29 gallon, she's the only fish, other than my clown. I have about 50 pounds of rock in there. I have a few rubble piles that I've dosed with some pods.

I'm going to set up my tupperware pod culture tomorrow!!!

I'm going to introduce her to some tasty mysis and Rod's food tomorrow, see how she does with it. Try to use a turkey baster to direct it towards her. I've seen people train them using a jar with foods in it to train them to eat frozen.

I'll keep posting my progress!!

 

[Shade]

Such a gorgeous fish!

 

[rockoko]

aww she's a cutie!!

 

[Bethany]

She is stunning!
Congrats Joanna!
Can't wait to hear more about her

 

[Greycloud]

Joanna as soon as you named this fish I was on cloud nine! This is one of my all time favorite fish. I have never owned one but find them so fascinating! They are so beautiful! I look forward to seeing more pics of her.

 

[tibanks]

I love Saltwater tanks...Your fish is gorgeous, wishing you all the best.

 

[CarmieJo]

You can look on Melev's site and see his Mandarin Diner. I've avoided one because it would not work in my 54 and I am afraid it would starve in my 24. However, ORA is now breeding them and they are eating prepared foods from the get go! Just as soon as my LFS gets them in vvv

 

[BraveheartDogs]

Wow, he is beautiful!