The Puffer Forum

I was looking on Drs Foster Smith and reading about Spotted Mandarin
(Synchiropus picturatus) it says its compatible with puffers.
I would love to get one but need to know if anyone has kept one with GSP's or a Porcupine puffer. I don't want one if it will become puffer food. Also I was told I could get some bad tasting mushroom coral to add to my tank. Could you give me the names of this so that I research it. Thanks to all who reply.

I have kept a mandarin fish with several puffers before without one nip. If they do bite him they will get very sick from the slime that the mandarin has on his body. Do you have an established refugium? Also, puffers usually ignore mushroom corals and leathers.

I don't have a refugium yet, just raised my GSP's from Brackish to saltwater. Ordered most of my equipment for saltwater a few days ago. Still have a few more things to get. Don't have the porcupine puffer yet either but plan to get one in the next few months after I get everything set up and established. I read another article that the Spotted Mandarin is difficult to keep so maybe I'll just admire it from afar and stick with just puffers. I would like to add a few corals that they won't eat. If you have any suggestions on easy to keep corals that don't need massive lighting (that puffers won't eat) please let me know.
Thanks for your reply.

Yes, mandarins can be introduced after you have had your tank established for over a year and it has a refugium that is established as well. They eat pods and such that come from that source. You can't keep them with any other dragonets.
Good beginner corals are mushrooms and leathers. Most puffers will ignore them. Don't get any zoanthids or star polyps.

will they eat zoos and star polyps...?

Puffers perhaps, Mandarins, no.
A mandarins diet consists of nothing but pods and very very small worms and crustaceans.

i was thinking of getting a little darter blenny but they also require a diet that is to specialized for me.

Chin I have heard that generally Spotted Mandarins do better in captivity than normal ones.
Have you heard anything like this? I just kinda blew it off saying if there is a difference it's to minimal to count.