Mandarins consume an enormous number of copepods daily. Because of that, we suggest seeding your tank heavily for a period of several months before attempting to add a mandarin. Use this chart to determine the correct number of copepods to add to your tank (we suggest the Snacklebox, because it contains the greatest variety of copepods). Add this quantity to your tank every month for 3-4 months. (You can find a subscription option on the product page; this will save you money and hassle.) After seeding your tank with the recommended amount each month for 3-4 months, you should be ready to add a mandarin. For extra peace of mind and to keep your populations healthy, we suggest adding more copepods every 2-3 months.