I have had 2 mandarin dragon without a happy ending.
The first one I added too soon for pods to develop.
The second one also die even when there were what I think was a substancial
population of pods.
(Now I have pods running free at nightime on my tank. Somehow my other fish
doesn't seem to eat them).

That fish needs special care when it come to eating and usually finish
starving themselves. They are known to be very picky eaters, wanting only
live food, however, you can try pellets, put them on a container where
bigger fish can't eat it first.
(I read that either on Melev or Don Geddis website, he was able to feed his
dragon this way)

It worths a shot.

Sometimes, as we learn, mistakes are made, unfortunately at others
expense(fish). And everyone here have had some losses.

Good Luck.

Ruben


"KurtG" wrote in message
...

Another Newbie Question: Are copepods the tiny white barnacle looking
things that coat the rocks, etc? (That's what the guy that I bought the
tank from told me.)

Then I'm looking at this:

http://www.reed-mariculture.com/copepod/

And, they appear to be a free floating insect like creatures.

Reason I ask is that my Mandarin Dragonnet isn't looking very good. (It
was also beaten up by a damsil). As far as I can tell, all the white
crustations on the rocks (which it was eating) are gone.

--Kurt