Boomer, check out this mandarin!

[Marc Levenson]

Hi Boomer,

We were just talking about Target Mandarins recently. Look at the *orange*
beauty I bought tonight.

This first picture was taken in the LFS before I bought it:
http://www.melevsreef.com/pics/0104/orange_target_011404.jpg


These pictures were taken after the fish had been acclimated and lights were
out. The color had faded slightly since it was in the dark, but I wanted to
take pictures again before pouring it into the tank. (Just in case it swam
right into a Flower Anemone accidentally!)
http://www.melevsreef.com/pics/0104/orange_target.jpg
http://www.melevsreef.com/pics/0104/orange_target_topview.jpg

This fish was added to my 55g, where I already have a green Target Mandarin.
The Green is definitely a male, as there is a spike that points up sharply - in
front of the dorsal fin. I'm hoping this orange mandarin is a girl, since it
doen't display the same spike.

I'm taking a chance adding a second Mandarin to my 55g, since I have a Six Line
Wrasse as well, but there is over 100 lbs of LR in there, plus my refugium which
is teaming with pods. I'm hoping the two fish will bond, and that I can provide
enough food for them.

Marc

--
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[Richard Reynolds]

once again marc has done it again, wonderful pics, of a wonderful fish.

--
Richard Reynolds

[Boomer]

WOW marc, never seen one like that before, that is really cool. I would agree it is a girl
Post another pic in a month or so to see if the color is about the same

--
Boomer

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If You See Me Running You Better Catch-Up
"Marc Levenson" > wrote in message ...
: Hi Boomer,
:
: We were just talking about Target Mandarins recently. Look at the *orange*
: beauty I bought tonight.
:
: This first picture was taken in the LFS before I bought it:
: http://www.melevsreef.com/pics/0104/orange_target_011404.jpg
:
:
: These pictures were taken after the fish had been acclimated and lights were
: out. The color had faded slightly since it was in the dark, but I wanted to
: take pictures again before pouring it into the tank. (Just in case it swam
: right into a Flower Anemone accidentally!)
: http://www.melevsreef.com/pics/0104/orange_target.jpg
: http://www.melevsreef.com/pics/0104/orange_target_topview.jpg
:
: This fish was added to my 55g, where I already have a green Target Mandarin.
: The Green is definitely a male, as there is a spike that points up sharply - in
: front of the dorsal fin. I'm hoping this orange mandarin is a girl, since it
: doen't display the same spike.
:
: I'm taking a chance adding a second Mandarin to my 55g, since I have a Six Line
: Wrasse as well, but there is over 100 lbs of LR in there, plus my refugium which
: is teaming with pods. I'm hoping the two fish will bond, and that I can provide
: enough food for them.
:
: Marc
:
: --
: Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
: Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
: Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com
:
:

[Marc Levenson]

I can't find either mandarin today. Maybe they are mating? <big grin>

Marc


Boomer wrote:

> WOW marc, never seen one like that before, that is really cool. I would agree it is a girl
> Post another pic in a month or so to see if the color is about the same
>
> --
> Boomer
>
> Want to talk chemistry ? The Reef Chemistry Forum
> http://www.reefcentral.com/vbulletin/index.php
>
> Want to See More ?
> Please Join Our Growing Membership
> www.coralrealm.com
>
> If You See Me Running You Better Catch-Up
> "Marc Levenson" > wrote in message ...
> : Hi Boomer,
> :
> : We were just talking about Target Mandarins recently. Look at the *orange*
> : beauty I bought tonight.
> :
> : This first picture was taken in the LFS before I bought it:
> : http://www.melevsreef.com/pics/0104/orange_target_011404.jpg
> :
> :
> : These pictures were taken after the fish had been acclimated and lights were
> : out. The color had faded slightly since it was in the dark, but I wanted to
> : take pictures again before pouring it into the tank. (Just in case it swam
> : right into a Flower Anemone accidentally!)
> : http://www.melevsreef.com/pics/0104/orange_target.jpg
> : http://www.melevsreef.com/pics/0104/orange_target_topview.jpg
> :
> : This fish was added to my 55g, where I already have a green Target Mandarin.
> : The Green is definitely a male, as there is a spike that points up sharply - in
> : front of the dorsal fin. I'm hoping this orange mandarin is a girl, since it
> : doen't display the same spike.
> :
> : I'm taking a chance adding a second Mandarin to my 55g, since I have a Six Line
> : Wrasse as well, but there is over 100 lbs of LR in there, plus my refugium which
> : is teaming with pods. I'm hoping the two fish will bond, and that I can provide
> : enough food for them.
> :
> : Marc
> :
> : --
> : Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
> : Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
> : Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com
> :
> :

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

[Richard Reynolds]

> I can't find either mandarin today. Maybe they are mating? <big grin>

ouch :| gota track them down

I dont have any targets but I think they breed the same way which is in open water,
spirling around just after lights out.

> Marc



--
Richard Reynolds

[Marc Levenson]

I saw both of them later today, at opposite ends of the tank. Maybe they'll need more
than a first meeting to consider mating for life. :)

Marc


Richard Reynolds wrote:

> > I can't find either mandarin today. Maybe they are mating? <big grin>
>
> ouch :| gota track them down
>
> I dont have any targets but I think they breed the same way which is in open water,
> spirling around just after lights out.
>
> > Marc
>
> --
> Richard Reynolds
>

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

[Dragon Slayer]

Richard, tell me after they mate how do they go about "nesting" or whatever
they do.

my female had swollen up huge over the past few weeks, and today she is
considerably smaller then she was yesterday, like she laid eggs maybe (they
are egg layers right?).

kc

"Richard Reynolds" > wrote in message
news:V3CNb.9817$ct4.4662@lakeread05...
> > I can't find either mandarin today. Maybe they are mating? <big grin>
>
> ouch :| gota track them down
>
> I dont have any targets but I think they breed the same way which is in
open water,
> spirling around just after lights out.
>
> > Marc
>
>
>
> --
> Richard Reynolds
>
>
>

[Richard Reynolds]

> Richard, tell me after they mate how do they go about "nesting" or whatever
> they do.
>
> my female had swollen up huge over the past few weeks, and today she is
> considerably smaller then she was yesterday, like she laid eggs maybe (they
> are egg layers right?).

in an open tank they do this interesting looking umm dance? and swim kinda away from each
other turn swim towards each other then spiral around as they reach the top of the tank,
that fast spirling is when they release there stuff, then when they get to the top they
swim away. the before and after the spiral part seems from my observations to be whatever
they are in the mood for or random. its also not uncommon for them to do the spiral part
in a trial run(??) not releasing anything for a few goes, also seemingly randomly i see
them do it 2 or 3 times and release there stuff on each pass. with the right lighting you
can kinda see the discolored water from the sperm, the eggs are more visiable, shimmery
specks in an open tank with little watermovement the eggs slowly fall to the aquarium
floor, add some watermovement(only air in a 25) and they kinda stay afloat, add to much
and they get blown around. they dont nest and the parents are not involved in anyway after
the spirl release. AFAIK in the ocean the fertalized eggs stay in the watercolumn, if you
were to try rearing them you do need to keep them in the watercolumn, any that get stuck
on your culture vescle will fail to hatch out.


--
Richard Reynolds

[Dragon Slayer]

well I have seen them do the spiral dance many times just before lights out
but they must have all been the "trial runs" because they never released
anything into the water or with all the flow I have I never noticed it.

I guess they did their thing when I wasn't around and that is why she's so
much thinner today and the skimmer is going crazy.

I'd think any eggs released into the tank would stay in the water and not
settle as I have 2 Tunze Turbelle Stream 6100's in the tank as well as the
two returns for a total of about 50x turnover in the tank.

but truth be known I don't really care to 'raise' any. no one local to me
that I've seen has a tank that would keep one alive for long and I have all
I need of them now.

although I'd give one of those red/orange ones a nice home if I ever get the
chance. I have never seen one only heard about them. Marc's pic is as
close to a red as I have ever seen.

thanks Richard for clearing things up for me.

kc

[Richard Reynolds]

> well I have seen them do the spiral dance many times just before lights out
> but they must have all been the "trial runs" because they never released
> anything into the water or with all the flow I have I never noticed it.

yea generally its trial run before lights out, and the real thing at or just a tad after
however you do need to be really looking with a flashlight

> I guess they did their thing when I wasn't around and that is why she's so
> much thinner today and the skimmer is going crazy.

that be what happens :D

> I'd think any eggs released into the tank would stay in the water and not
> settle as I have 2 Tunze Turbelle Stream 6100's in the tank as well as the
> two returns for a total of about 50x turnover in the tank.

totally gone, picked up by pumps/powerheads ..... probibly nothing even came close to the
sand.

> but truth be known I don't really care to 'raise' any. no one local to me
> that I've seen has a tank that would keep one alive for long and I have all
> I need of them now.

no one really wants to raise them :) which is good for me! I just picked up a pair of red
scooter's though so ill be giving them a whirl.

> although I'd give one of those red/orange ones a nice home if I ever get the
> chance. I have never seen one only heard about them. Marc's pic is as
> close to a red as I have ever seen.

man I want a few, ive seen them online for sale.

> thanks Richard for clearing things up for me.

whenever i can :)


--
Richard Reynolds

[Marc Levenson]

Guys, I have a video of two mandarins doing the mating dance that I found on RC once. I'll
upload it to my site and post the link so you guys can see it too.

Marc


Richard Reynolds wrote:

> > well I have seen them do the spiral dance many times just before lights out
> > but they must have all been the "trial runs" because they never released
> > anything into the water or with all the flow I have I never noticed it.
>
> yea generally its trial run before lights out, and the real thing at or just a tad after
> however you do need to be really looking with a flashlight
>
> > I guess they did their thing when I wasn't around and that is why she's so
> > much thinner today and the skimmer is going crazy.
>
> that be what happens :D
>
> > I'd think any eggs released into the tank would stay in the water and not
> > settle as I have 2 Tunze Turbelle Stream 6100's in the tank as well as the
> > two returns for a total of about 50x turnover in the tank.
>
> totally gone, picked up by pumps/powerheads ..... probibly nothing even came close to the
> sand.
>
> > but truth be known I don't really care to 'raise' any. no one local to me
> > that I've seen has a tank that would keep one alive for long and I have all
> > I need of them now.
>
> no one really wants to raise them :) which is good for me! I just picked up a pair of red
> scooter's though so ill be giving them a whirl.
>
> > although I'd give one of those red/orange ones a nice home if I ever get the
> > chance. I have never seen one only heard about them. Marc's pic is as
> > close to a red as I have ever seen.
>
> man I want a few, ive seen them online for sale.
>
> > thanks Richard for clearing things up for me.
>
> whenever i can :)
>
> --
> Richard Reynolds
>

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com

[Marc Levenson]

You may have to right click and save as to view this short video.

http://www.melevsreef.com/pics/mandarin.mov

Marc


Marc Levenson wrote:

> Guys, I have a video of two mandarins doing the mating dance that I found on RC once. I'll
> upload it to my site and post the link so you guys can see it too.
>
> Marc
>

--
Personal Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com/oanda/index.html
Business Page: http://www.sparklingfloorservice.com
Marine Hobbyist: http://www.melevsreef.com