Copepod propagation

[AndyL]

Hey folks!

This would probably get me flamed badly on most of the other reef sites - so I'll ask here (since you guys know me better than they do)

The LPS has a mandarin goby, which I've seen (I fed him myself) eat frozen mysis. I _WANT_ this fish; but I know these guys need a LOT of copepods to survive. And I don't want to risk just keeping him on frozen mysis - as stock up here can vary, and he may not get proper nutrition from the frozen mysis.

I've got a 29g setup for about 6 months in the garage, with about 35lbs of live rock, cleanup crew consisting of blue legged hermits, nassarius snails, some turbos and a couple peppermint shrimp. The copepod population in it is astronomical. It was meant to get a flame angel - but I have yet to find one that I found 'acceptable' for "my" tank.

If I added a big HOB filter (AC500 probably) with a seeding of LS/LR rubble from my curing trough (full of copepods) then added a 20g fuge with the same - could I supply enough pods to keep him happy?

Then the ugly question - could I add the flame angel later after the tank settles again?

Andy

 

[S.Reef]

I think that your set-up would be fine. You have planned out well and your set-up will have an abundance of copepods to munch on. He also eats mysis which is an additional plus. You could also add a Flame angel. I don't think it would even notice the mandarin goby. Just make sure the mandarin is getting enough food annd you should be fine.

Sam Reef
______________
90 Gallon FOWLR Marine Aquarium
20 Gallon Reef
10 Gallon Reef
10 Gallon Marine Aquarium
20 Gallon Freshwater Planted Aquarium

 

[S.Reef]

Go along with the mandarin. You could also keep a flame. Just make sure the mandarin is getting enough food.

Sam Reef

 

[wayne]

At lest you've got a plan. I think the addition of a refugium makes a difference for you. Do you have it yet? I would say try it, but don't wait to get going with the refugium. Try seagrass in the refugium as that's a very good home for pods.
Good resource for refugia is Calfo and Fenners newest book - Natural Reef Aquaria (?) volume 1.

 

[AndyL]

The mandarin dragonette is now here in my care... I've hardly seen hide nor hair of him since introduction - my rockwork provides a little too much cover and he's putting it to VERY good use.

At lights-on this morning after almost 2 days in the tank - the pod population definitely appeared to be significantly lower than usual. So I have a feeling he's enjoying his new hunting grounds.

Working on getting some sort of algae for the refugium, but I may completely overhaul it first - thinking a hang on back style would work much better for transfering the copepods into the main tank over my current syphon system... (tho I've never had a problem with it - could also avoid water on floor issues). Will need to re-evaluate after we move next week and decide what to do...

Debating on what fish to add to the tank - so many choices - so hard to choose... I'm thinking the flame angel is out - really needs more room to swim than the 29 allows... So I'm looking for something else.

Andy

 

[S.Reef]

You could keep a Flame Angel in a 29 gallon aquarium. As they only reach 4 inches in captivity. If anything, the reason they are recommended for a bigger tank, is their tendency to pick on tank mates. Your mandarin is a perfect tankmate because, he stays on the bottom of the tank, eats different food, is a different shape and color. I personally would add the Flame Angel. He would make a spectacular display.

Sam Reef