Pseudocheilinus hexataenia & Synchiropus splendidus compatibility

[MarineDreamer]

I’ve recently picked up a Six-Line Wrasse, Pseudocheilinus hexataenia, for my 55 gallon with a 30 gallon sump with refugium. I really, really want a Mandarin Goby, Synchiropus splendidus, for my very own! I was reading one of Terry’s online articles, and it was pointed out that the hexataenia and splendidus compete for food. Ah, nuts! I’ve got about 130 pounds of Live Rock, and the intent behind the refugium is to be a ‘pod making factory. I’ve recently put some macroalgae in there and I think that I’ve finally gotten all the bristleworms out. (Probably not, but hope springs eternal.) The tank’s only been up and running about three months now and I was thinking that I would wait about another three or so months before picking a splendidus up, but now I’m wondering if I can do it at all?

 

[Kensn]

Hey there,

I have a 90 with a six line and a Mandarin Goby, I lost my first Mandarin goby, but I don't know if it was to a lack of pods. The Six Line does alot of searching of the rocks, but he is really more interested in the food I offer. I waited to add my second goby until I saw a good pod population in the tank at night with the use of a flashlight. Peek in the holes of the rocks and on the bottom to see them scurying around.

Ken

 

[The Apprentice]

intent behind the refugium,pod making factory

Hi Trevor Hey I think you will still be ok I am sort of in the same boat as you. In my 150 gallon tank i have a Leopard Wrasse - Macropharyngodon meleagris and a Mandarin, Green - Pterosynchiropus splendidus and they are both competing for the same thing ( Pods). The Key is to get that refugium
Up and running with them pods. My leopard hunts for them during the day like your sixline then It hits the sand when the lights go out as well as your sixline they will cover up and sleep as well and at night. It is when the Mandarin goes on the Hunt! Mine has even learned to just sit & hover at the discharge line from my CPR Fuge and will pick up a few that way I have no doubt that if you seed your tank with a pod kit from http://www.oceanpods.com/ you will be in great shape in no time I bought 2 bottles and in a months time my fuges were swimming pod factories. HTH ...Jeff

I’ve recently picked up a Six-Line Wrasse, Pseudocheilinus hexataenia, for my 55 gallon with a 30 gallon sump with refugium. I really, really want a Mandarin Goby, Synchiropus splendidus, for my very own! I was reading one of Terry’s online articles, and it was pointed out that the hexataenia and splendidus compete for food. Ah, nuts! I’ve got about 130 pounds of Live Rock, and the intent behind the refugium is to be a ‘pod making factory. I’ve recently put some macroalgae in there and I think that I’ve finally gotten all the bristleworms out. (Probably not, but hope springs eternal.) The tank’s only been up and running about three months now and I was thinking that I would wait about another three or so months before picking a splendidus up, but now I’m wondering if I can do it at all?

 

[NaH2O]

Kensn - do you have any territory issues with the sixline and mandarin? Curious since they compete for the same food source? Also, does your mandarin eat captive foods, too?

Trevor - I don't know if I'd attempt it in a 55 gallon (how much live rock?). If you give it a shot, I would do like Jeff posted, and make sure you have a refugium producing pods, and also that the mandarin eats prepared foods. When you find a mandarin, watch it eat at the store before purchasing it.

 

[Terry B]

The amphipods are not as much as an issue as the competiton for the copepods. I won't expect any territorial issues keeping both in the same tank. You may find that the entire population of copepods is decimated in a few months.

Terry B

 

[Kensn]

Hey Nikki,

I don't ever see any teritorial issues with mine. I do see the goby eat prepared foods sometimes. If I squirt a little mysis his way he may peck at a few of them from the rockwork.

 

[albert]

The amphipods are not as much as an issue as the competiton for the copepods.
Terry B

Terry, could you be a little more specific? Why?

 

[albert]

My leopard hunts for them during the day like your sixline then It hits the sand when the lights go out as well as your sixline they will cover up and sleep as well and at night. It is when the Mandarin goes on the Hunt!

Apprentice, are you sure the Mandarin is a nocturnal hunter? At least mine is "sleeping" in the rockwork at night.

 

[Kensn]

My Mandarin also sleeps at night, I can usally find him between a rock and the back of the tank.

 

[The Apprentice]

Very Sure

Yea he/or she?? will hunt at night. I am sure it sleeps as well. But it gets very active on hunting the Pods soon after my lights go off and the pfo moon lights come on as well I have the hang on back Fuge and the Mandrin will hover for long periods catching pods as they some times come out of the return pipe.

Apprentice, are you sure the Mandarin is a nocturnal hunter? At least mine is "sleeping" in the rockwork at night.

 

[MarineDreamer]

- do you have any territory issues with the sixline and mandarin? Curious since they compete for the same food source? Also, does your mandarin eat captive foods, too?

Yeah, same question here.

Trevor - I don't know if I'd attempt it in a 55 gallon (how much live rock?). If you give it a shot, I would do like Jeff posted, and make sure you have a refugium producing pods, and also that the mandarin eats prepared foods. When you find a mandarin, watch it eat at the store before purchasing it.

Hey, Nikki. I've got about 130 pounds of LR split between the tank and the refugium. I've got the refugium in the sump already up and running. Just waiting for the Marco to fill it in. Then I plan on ordering ANOTHER bottle of Oceanpods. (Maybe two!!!) I already can see the shrimp in the refugium, and I'm assuming that the 'pod population is strong. I've tried pulling all food competitors (mainly bristleworms) and there are no plans to add anything else to the refugium. As to the fish itself; I've been keeping an eye on one already. It is active in the store's tank, even with several Sturgeon fishes moving about it. I've been told that it will take prepared foods and has no hang-ups about getting out there during feeding time.