Are you keeping one? I would love to! I've been doing a lot of research. My tank is over a year old, with a healthy supply of pods both in tank and in my fuge. Also pods are very easy to get via on line ordering. And if need be I do have a re-homing option available if it were not to work out for the fish.
I would think you have a decent shot at being able to keep one miz. If you can find one online that is accepting frozen foods that would be a huge pro in the decision. ( if I were you I would try anyways Tbh).I have had mine for around half a year or more in my 46 gal, and he is fat and happy! And your tank is surely more established than mine. Plus you mention buying pods if needed plus a back up home if really need be, so either way it seems the fish will be cared for go for it! There such a cool fish
Sounds like you have an escape plan. Don't you have some carpet nems though? How big are they? Both species will occupy the same areas of the tank which could prove fatal to the mandarin. I am a little paranoid about those MM's anymore though.
Yeah I do have 3 MM's and was wondering about this myself. Especially knowing how the Mandarins like to perch on the LR but...the nems sit on a part of the LR that slopes. Still I'm wondering if the fish would know enough to stay away from them???
I've been looking for the ORA'S but nobody has them yet. I'm in no hurry though and it's a fish worth waiting for. But dang, LA has the most beautiful red ones available