Mandarin Goby feeding question

[Double M]

I saw Debbie's post, but didn't want to hijack the thread since the subject matter is slightly different.

I have a 55 gallon with about 40# of LR. The LR is well aged and has been in the tank for a few years. I can see cop- and amphipods and I believe that I have a large enough population to support a mandarin with the pod piles I've set up prior to his arrival in a few days, however, I'm still a bit paranoid about his feeding (so I'm glad to see from Debbie's post that her guy has been eating a large variety of foods).

To be prepared, I have done quite a bit of research on Tigger-pods and Ocean Pods and wondered if anyone had any experience with either of these products or if there is someone in the group who produces pods for sale/trade, etc.

Does anyone have any suggestions/recommendations? This fish is the reason I entered the hobby about 8 years ago, and I finally feel ready to try to support one. Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks,

 

[crawfish aka Bill]

i cant help, ill give a bump so maybe some one will . GL

 

[Serk]

The biggest advice I'd give is, if you don't/can't have a "real" refuguim, then set up a small in-tank refuguim for Mandarin food to thrive in...

Basically, get some small pieces of live rock rubble, old snail shells, whatever, and build up a little pile of it in a corner some where in the display. This will give spaces inside it for the microfauna to grow and thrive without being immediately eaten and wiped out by the piscine predators.

 

[Ashlar]

Someone also recently posted about making 'pod condos' by taking a piece of plastic gutter guard and forming it into a cylinder, zip tying it together, and filling it with rubble / shells.