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Mandarin Fish

Feeding the Mandarin Fish

by Sean Taj

For so many aquarists, the green mandarinfish (Synchiropus splendidus) is a must-have species. Its endearing personality, exquisite finnage and intense coloration rarely fail to impress. Given these highly desirable traits, it has for long been among the most popular marine aquarium fishes. Thus, many thousands of specimens of this species are sold in the ornamental fish trade each year. Most of these are wildcaught. This is unfortunate, as wildcaught individuals have a rather poor record of survivability compared to captive-raised individuals.

Feeding the Mandarin: Wildcaught versus Aquaculture Fish

There are a number of reasons wildcaught mandarin have a lower survival rate than captive bred or aquacultured fish. For one, the mini-spears that are used to harpoon wild individuals during capture frequently cause serious internal injuries or infections. Moreover, this species often suffers from malnourishment after being subjected to the typical fast during transport. By the time a mandarin arrives at the retailer, it may be (even with the most devoted, professional care) beyond the point of no return.

For these reasons and more, it is always a good idea to opt for an aquacultured mandarin fish. One could argue that it is always better to go with cultured livestock; but in the case of mandarins, the difference between captive-raised and wild are enormous. The biggest, and most notable, difference here is in the mandarin fish’s diet and feeding habits.

[Copepods]

Wildcaught specimens might eventually begin to feed, but never accept anything other than live foods. Some wild individuals might not ever resume feeding in the aquarium at all, perishing in very short time. Aquaculture fish that have been raised in captivity, on the other hand, are far less finicky. They are comparatively voracious eaters, even greedily accepting frozen (that is, dead) items such as cyclops, small mysis or baby brine shrimp. Captive bred mandarin, being completely reared in an aquarium environment, might even arrive already trained to feed on prepared items such as fish pellets. Opportunistically nabbing these extra food items when available will afford the aquacultured fish a few extra, precious calories; it will not, however, provide a substitute for the continuous availability of live items such as live copepods.

From the shape of their mouths to the function of their digestive tracts, mandarins are specially adapted to feed on microcrustaceans such as live copepods and amphipods. While studies have revealed that the mandarin fish’s diet includes a fairly wide variety of critters (even baby snails), pods always form the bulk of their diet. Because their prey is so tiny, they must eat a very large number of them to fulfill their dietary intake requirements. Indeed, in the wild as in the aquarium, mandarins begin hunting as soon as the sun comes up and do not stop until sunset. Wildcaught and captive bred mandarin will—and must—feed constantly.

In captivity, heavy predation by even a single mandarin can significantly reduce pod populations. Even if the keeper periodically adds new pods to the system (as they should do), the population might not remain at a density capable of supporting the mandarin over the long term. As numbers of pods in the tank decrease, the fish must expend more time and more energy to locate its next bite. If pod numbers get critically low, the mandarin will struggle to meet its metabolic needs and begin to starve. Aside from general lethargy, a telltale sign of starvation in a mandarinfish is a noticeable loss of body mass; this will show in aquaculture fish as well as wildcaught, as a sunken belly and long indentations on each side of its back.

This is where the supplementary offering of frozen/prepared foods can make all the difference. A few additional bites of frozen brine shrimp might help to give a newly arrived (i.e. recently shipped and very hungry) mandarin a much-needed boost. If used regularly, foods such as this can also help to keep captive bred mandarin healthy and plump over the long run. Varying a mandarin fish’s diet in this manner might additionally serve to ensure that it is getting all of the vitamins and minerals it needs. What is most important is that the item does not exceed the animal’s miniscule bite size.

Due to the animal’s small stomach (i.e. inability to gorge) as well as its need to eat nonstop, frozen/prepared foods should be considered to be snacks only.

aquaculture fish

Though these items can be of huge benefit, they only comprise a fraction of the animal’s diet; even in captivity, pods will always be their bread and butter. Therefore, the keeper should ensure maximal feeding opportunities for their mandarin by regularly adding a diversity of live microcrustaceans to the system. For this, a mixed-species, live harpacticoid (i.e. bottom-dwelling) copepod product such as Poseidon’s Feast is ideal. Remember: if you cannot easily and quickly find pods crawling on the glass of the tank, then your mandarin probably won’t, either.

It could also do considerable good to occasionally offer live “treat” items. Quality live baby brine shrimp such a Nano Brine can not only add to their diet, but provide valuable behavioral enrichment (particularly for the chase they give!).

For sure, the greatest challenge of keeping a wildcaught or captive bred mandarin fish is feeding it properly. The easiest way to accomplish this is to provide both a continuous supply of live pods and frequent feedings of a frozen or prepared fish food. Of course, to be sure that the fish will accept the latter fare, one should acquire a captive-raised aka aquacultured fish such as a Biota Captive-Bred Green Mandarin. When purchased at AlgaeBarn, these mandarins not only come with a 100% Alive-On-Arrival Guarantee and a 7-Day Health Guarantee, but have also underwent a one-week observation period to ensure that they are healthy and eating before they are offered for sale.

Starting with a sturdy, tank-conditioned, disease-free individual that is eating well will give you the very best odds of enjoying your mandarinfish for many years!

For more information about Biota Palau and their captive breeding efforts, please visit their site at https://www.biotapalau.com. For more information about the captive diet of the mandarinfish, please read our articles Mandarin Goby Fish Care: Using Copepods to keep a Mandarin Dragonet and Keeping and Feeding the Mandarin Fishes.

[Copepods]

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sean Fowler says

    Algae barn is making inspiring steps in a more sustainable future for the hobby and the conservation of natural resources.

    Reply

  3. daniellenseymour says

    Such beautiful fish, I hope everyone does their research before purchasing or entering in contests…

    Reply

    • Compy Ginorio says

      Seen a mandarin searching and hunting their pray is a very fun experience as they are always in a search for a snack. Now with the Biotas Breed it’s even easier to keep them healthy and with a constant supply of pods it’s a recipe to succeed.

      Reply

  5. Wayde Clark says

    Keeping a Mandarin has always been one of my dreams but been extremely concerned with feeding. But now that I have my sump all set up with Macro algae I think I am ready. Great information and well put together. I wish there were more species that are captive bred.

    Reply

  9. Alexandra Hawley says

    This is such great information about the mandarins especially for those of us new to the hobby!

    Reply

  21. Bobby Altman says

    The only Mandarin I have kept was wild caught. It was put in a 2 year old tank and did well and ended up weaning onto frozen, but next time will be captive bred for sure.

    Reply

  23. Jeff Britman says

    I love that these are being bred in captivity! Not only is it a conservation effort, but the increased survival rates are awesome!

    Reply

  39. Robby vice says

    that would be the coolest nano fish for a while if you could keep stable parameters are mandarins fast growers ?

    Reply

  40. Robby vice says

    I got one over a year ago I drove up to get mine it was funny they had like 20 fish that were close to 100 in a 5 gallon fluval barebotton happy as can be

    Reply

  51. Jennifer Cook says

    Mandarins are very beautiful creatures don’t be fooled by their looks because they are very Territorial and having a kit put together specially for them is it a very wise investment to help sustain them in a saltwater aquarium.

    Reply

  52. Jennifer Cook says

    Having a pair in my saltwater aquarium would be awesome opposed to just one because I really like how they swim and how they look are very beautiful. people don’t have a high success rate due to the fact that they are finicky eaters and providing customers with this option to purchase mandarins along with copepods is a very intelligent idea thank you very much.

    Reply

  54. Jennifer Cook says

    Algaebarn has superior customer service and excellent packaging. Algaebarn definitely understands how important it is to provide mandarins with the ultimate feeding package because they are finicky eaters.

    Reply

  57. Silver City Reef says

    Perfect in-depth explanation of why captive-bred mandarins are better than wild-caught when it comes to home aquariums.

    Reply

  59. Alexandra Hawley says

    Mandarins are such lovely fish for tanks and Algae Barn provides awesome information on how to keep these little ones happy!e

    Reply

  60. Compy Ginorio says

    Definitely having a healthy population of pods with a constant replenish of pods and enrished brine shrimps and prepared food its a must for them to thrive and be happy.

    Reply

  68. Chris Becerra says

    The food for this fish it’s really importan the prose son making sure your tank is seeded it’s make way more easy with the help of you guys thanks algae barn !!!!

    Reply

  69. Chris Becerra says

    Feeding is so important the type of food they eat it’s hard to keep alive in a tank there for continued to add live cocopa and other like food it’s a recomended to keep this fish alive thanks algae bars for providing us with all this information

    Reply

    • Victoria says

      Mandarins are the main reason I switched over from all freshwater tanks to now both fresh & saltwater setups. Definitely the prettiest of all the marine fish plus they have great little personalities on them!

      Reply

  80. Victoria Yates says

    I’ve had my Mandarin for about a year now. She’s not captive bred but luckily I’ve been able to get her to eat live baby & adult brine shrimp, frozen mysis & bloodworms. She also still loves to pick at pods all day though. Next Mandarin I get will definitely be a captive bred one.

    Reply

  82. Victoria Yates says

    Great info! My Mandarins & Scooter Blennies all love the Nano Brine and Poisedon’s Feast Pods!

    Reply

  83. Victoria Yates says

    Had absolutely no idea that mini spears were used to harpoon wild Mandarins during capture! The one I have now is not captive bred but my next one most definitely will be after hearing about that!

    Reply

  91. fireninja2k11 says

    I had mandarins, in my experience the problem was definitely the food. Mine would only eat target feeding so it was a challenge to do so

    Reply

  97. Austin says

    Love this fish so much but want to be educated before getting one. So many good articles that will increase your success of caring for one. Thank you Algae barn!

    Reply

  98. Austin says

    If you can get your mandarin to start eating frozen foods that would be amazing. I want to try this when I receive my first mandarin. Thank you for the info!

    Reply

  107. jul.ignacio says

    Hopefully, Biota begins to breed spotted. It would look pretty to have a spotted and green mandarin pair in a tank.

    Reply

  108. jul.ignacio says

    Oh wow! I already commented on this post, but AlgaeBarn is offering more points for another comment on this blog post for their March Mandarin Madness Win a Pair Giveaway. I hope I win.

    Reply

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