Is this a mandarinfish?

[Sammydog]

We were just given a tank setup by some people moving. I've know four of the fish are clownfish, but this one is a bit of a mystery.

Anyone able to help with not only a name, but tips on care?

 

[Bifferwine]

It is a mandarin. They are usually considered pretty difficult fish to keep, because they starve to death easily. But yours looks fat, which leads me to believe that it eats prepared foods (which is good!).

 

[Sammydog]

The person we got the tank off said the fish had all been in the tank for a few years.

 

[dcantucson]

That's a healthy lookin' fellow.

 

[mng777777]

That is a beautiful mandarin! They only eat live pods naturally, but they can be taught to eat prepared food too which as Biff stated, it looks like yours probably is. They are low care otherwise, but keeping them well fed tends to be difficult. They normally do best in a system with a healthy fuge thriving with pods.

 

[U4BOYZ]

I have a mandarin as well. Mine eats frozen brine and frozen mysis shrimp. Good luck!

 

[darren0311]

yes it is a Mandarin, the best thing in my opionion is to put him in your fuge if you have one!, It works well that way and they will get all the nutrients they need in a fuge. if not, make sure they are eating pods, pref. live pods, very hard fish to keep in a new tank, if the tank has been up for a while you shoultdnt have any problems..