drumbum540

I really like the two of them and I was wondering which one would be a better choice for a newbie like me. please help.!

Coryd55

I read somewhere that Mandarin Gobies often starve to death in a home aquarium and are not very good for beginners.I will try to find the article ASAP and get you more info.

Cory

sgould

Mandarins are notoriously difficult to keep. They are extremely picky eaters and most die within 6 months of purchase. They generally will ONLY eat live copepods/amphipods, and they eat them continuously...which means that if your pod population is not well established, even a single mandarin can wipe them out in a matter of weeks and then begin a slow starvation. Not a good choice for a beginner. Spotted hawkfish are much easier to keep, but be aware that they are aggressive. You would have to be very selective about tank mates.

drumbum540

Yeah, I called my dad because he has had numerous reef tanks and he said that had to have like a 30 gallon refugium for his 55 gallon tank. He had a lot more money than I do, so he could afford to buy all these fancy metal halide lights that look like street lamps and 30 gallon refugium. But anyway thank you very much for your help. I do have one question though. would a spottedhawk fish get along with a lawnmower blenny or a ocellaris clownfish or however you spell it? thanks again!
-drumbum540