The Puffer Forum

I just have to share: I saw a sight I never thought I would ever see. Mandarinfishes are known to try to stare their food to death before eating it. They are supposed to be slow eaters. Well, my little male doesn't listen to such things. He just stole food out of the mouth of my tomato clown. The clown had taken a mouthful of frozen brine shrimp, and the mandarin swam up to him and started feeding off the other side of the food. And he ate until all the food was gone. And the clown wasn't even aggressive! Wow, my mandarins are not difficult when it comes to food! I've never heard of mandarins trying to steal other fish's food!

I thought they only eat live amphipods and copepods

That is the usual case. Competing with a tomato clown for food is I believe most abnormal mandarin behavior. IME they are about the most demanding fish around on food. In pairs they can and will be fairly brave, but with a tomato? LOL at the thought!