Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Mandarin Dragonet Survival Guide: 3 Steps to Success
The Mandarin Dragonet is often considered the "final boss" of reef keeping. In this video, I’ll share my protocol for successfully keeping these beautiful but picky eaters.
In this video, we cover:
Sourcing your fish: Why tank-bred is the only way to go [04:55].
Ideal housing: Creating a low-energy environment with plenty of grazing spots [05:22].
Tank mates: Avoiding aggressive or hyperactive neighbors [05:56].
Chapters:
[00:00] Introduction to the Mandarin Fish
[01:02] Tank Setup and Macroalgae
[01:50] Sourcing: Wild-Caught vs. Tank-Bred
[03:29] The Ideal Diet: Copepods and Amphipods
[04:47] Summary of Success Requirements
UK AQUACULTURED MACROALGAE (Grown By Me):
PlantedReef.co.uk
(UK Shipping Only, Sorry)
BUY YOUR AQUARIUM EQUIPMENT HERE:
hygger-online.com
💸 10% OFF with code: everyday10
🎁 Bonus: Every $10 spent = 10 points = $1 reduction for the next order, stackable with live coupons online.
RECCOMMENDED PRODUCTS (Amazon Affiliate Links)
LIGHTS
hygger Clip On Full Spectrum Aquarium Light
UK amzn.to/4hj78Uh
USA amzn.to/475Hi1m
Hygger 978 Advanced Full Spectrum LED
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USA amzn.to/3Msk2Be
SEAOURA Led Aquarium Light for Plants-Full Spectrum
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USA amzn.to/471eOr3
Fluval Sea Marine 3.0 LED
UK amzn.to/3Rd3aiH
USA amzn.to/3TSmWU1
AQQA Full Spectrum Aquarium Light With Timer
UK amzn.to/47GQojN
US amzn.to/47GUWHd
FILTERS
Tetra Whisper IQ Power Filter 45 Gallons
amzn.to/46Yj36D
NICREW Nano Fish Tank Filter
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FLUVAL 07 External Filter
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Fluval FX2 External Filter
UK amzn.to/43EZwF1
USA amzn.to/3IVxYSa
HEATERS
Intelligent AQQA Aquarium Heater
UK amzn.to/4qjvUb2
USA amzn.to/3J2KaEt
EQUIPMENT
hygger Aquarium Wave Maker with Intelligent Controller
UK:amzn.to/3LiycHj
USA:amzn.to/471fqgl
AQQA Gyre Powerhead
USA: amzn.to/3ELLVnp
UK: amzn.to/4jVO8LU
Fluval UVC Clarifier
UK amzn.to/3yJk0i5
USA amzn.to/3VCxJTw
Fluval FX UVC Clarifier
amzn.to/45FbDkY
All Pond Solutions Aquarium Surface Skimmer amzn.to/3yJcP9r
Stanley Glass Scraper amzn.to/3Pdovaz
Aquarium Hose Holder amzn.to/3yOzKza
F ZONE Automatic Top Up
UK amzn.to/3WJ9Abm
USA amzn.to/4aRzukr
MACROALGAE PRODUCTS
TNC Lite - Aquarium plant food/Aquatic fertiliser amzn.to/3ReGjmQ
TNC Complete - Liquid Aquarium Plant Food amzn.to/3ONrOom
TNC Iron (AT) - Aquarium Plant Liquid Fertiliser amzn.to/3IiK9HF
REEF AQUARIUM PRODUCTS
iQuatics Ocean Reef Pro SALT MIX amzn.to/3bRTOJc
Seachem Reef Glue amzn.to/3NZshTz
ARKA Aquatics Reef Rocks amzn.to/3NKzYN8
SUPPORT ME VIA AMAZON PROMOTIONS:
30-day Free Trial of Amazon Prime
amazon.co.uk/tryprimefree?tag=everyday03-21
30-day Free Trial of Audible Audiobooks
amazon.co.uk/hz/audible/mlp?ie=UTF8&actionCode=AMN30DFT1Bk06604291990WX&tag=everyday03-21
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#plantedreef #plantedtank #reeftank
EVERYDAY AQUARIST is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. com or .ca, .co.uk, etc.
I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Mandarin Dragonet Survival Guide: 3 Steps to Success
The Mandarin Dragonet is often considered the "final boss" of reef keeping. In this video, I’ll share my protocol for successfully keeping these beautiful but picky eaters.
In this video, we cover:
Sourcing your fish: Why tank-bred is the only way to go [04:55].
Ideal housing: Creating a low-energy environment with plenty of grazing spots [05:22].
Tank mates: Avoiding aggressive or hyperactive neighbors [05:56].
Chapters:
[00:00] Introduction to the Mandarin Fish
[01:02] Tank Setup and Macroalgae
[01:50] Sourcing: Wild-Caught vs. Tank-Bred
[03:29] The Ideal Diet: Copepods and Amphipods
[04:47] Summary of Success Requirements
UK AQUACULTURED MACROALGAE (Grown By Me):
PlantedReef.co.uk
(UK Shipping Only, Sorry)
BUY YOUR AQUARIUM EQUIPMENT HERE:
hygger-online.com
💸 10% OFF with code: everyday10
🎁 Bonus: Every $10 spent = 10 points = $1 reduction for the next order, stackable with live coupons online.
RECCOMMENDED PRODUCTS (Amazon Affiliate Links)
LIGHTS
hygger Clip On Full Spectrum Aquarium Light
UK amzn.to/4hj78Uh
USA amzn.to/475Hi1m
Hygger 978 Advanced Full Spectrum LED
UK amzn.to/3QUHAyY
USA amzn.to/3Msk2Be
SEAOURA Led Aquarium Light for Plants-Full Spectrum
UK amzn.to/47t4ic9
USA amzn.to/471eOr3
Fluval Sea Marine 3.0 LED
UK amzn.to/3Rd3aiH
USA amzn.to/3TSmWU1
AQQA Full Spectrum Aquarium Light With Timer
UK amzn.to/47GQojN
US amzn.to/47GUWHd
FILTERS
Tetra Whisper IQ Power Filter 45 Gallons
amzn.to/46Yj36D
NICREW Nano Fish Tank Filter
UK amzn.to/3ONVWA3
USA amzn.to/3TVJVxp
FLUVAL 07 External Filter
UK: amzn.to/4oxoLSZ
USA: amzn.to/47kd5ff
Fluval FX2 External Filter
UK amzn.to/43EZwF1
USA amzn.to/3IVxYSa
HEATERS
Intelligent AQQA Aquarium Heater
UK amzn.to/4qjvUb2
USA amzn.to/3J2KaEt
EQUIPMENT
hygger Aquarium Wave Maker with Intelligent Controller
UK:amzn.to/3LiycHj
USA:amzn.to/471fqgl
AQQA Gyre Powerhead
USA: amzn.to/3ELLVnp
UK: amzn.to/4jVO8LU
Fluval UVC Clarifier
UK amzn.to/3yJk0i5
USA amzn.to/3VCxJTw
Fluval FX UVC Clarifier
amzn.to/45FbDkY
All Pond Solutions Aquarium Surface Skimmer amzn.to/3yJcP9r
Stanley Glass Scraper amzn.to/3Pdovaz
Aquarium Hose Holder amzn.to/3yOzKza
F ZONE Automatic Top Up
UK amzn.to/3WJ9Abm
USA amzn.to/4aRzukr
MACROALGAE PRODUCTS
TNC Lite - Aquarium plant food/Aquatic fertiliser amzn.to/3ReGjmQ
TNC Complete - Liquid Aquarium Plant Food amzn.to/3ONrOom
TNC Iron (AT) - Aquarium Plant Liquid Fertiliser amzn.to/3IiK9HF
REEF AQUARIUM PRODUCTS
iQuatics Ocean Reef Pro SALT MIX amzn.to/3bRTOJc
Seachem Reef Glue amzn.to/3NZshTz
ARKA Aquatics Reef Rocks amzn.to/3NKzYN8
SUPPORT ME VIA AMAZON PROMOTIONS:
30-day Free Trial of Amazon Prime
amazon.co.uk/tryprimefree?tag=everyday03-21
30-day Free Trial of Audible Audiobooks
amazon.co.uk/hz/audible/mlp?ie=UTF8&actionCode=AMN30DFT1Bk06604291990WX&tag=everyday03-21
Amazon Music Unlimited 30-day free trial
amazon.co.uk/music/unlimited?tag=everyday03-21
BECOME A CHANNEL MEMBER
youtube.com/channel/UCHULQdSxGjepb0Hei1FnYbw/join
FOLLOW ME ON:
Facebook: facebook.com/EverydayAquaristBlog
Instagram: instagram.com/everydayaquarist
Twitter: twitter.com/EAquariums
#plantedreef #plantedtank #reeftank
EVERYDAY AQUARIST is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon. com or .ca, .co.uk, etc.
I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
