I don't think you understand the whole concept. Even BUYING pods you wont be able to maintain enough via pods to sustain the mandarin. It's just very poor husbandry to go into this setting yourself up for failure and ultimately a very slow and torturous demise to a beautiful creature. Wait until you have a MUCH larger and well established tank. By that time your pop-pulation will be developed enough to sustain your new friend. If done properly a mandarin can live for years and be a great pleasure to watch. Don't rush into this and allow it to merely starve over a few months.
Allen
