FOTM - Bangaii Cardinal - Nov '07

[omard]

Banggai Cardinal

(Pterapogon kauderni)

(Added to 12 Gal NanoCube - 7 October 2007)

(Died 12 Nov '07 - R.I.P.)

This fish really needs a quiet peaceful environment. Sharing a 12 gallon Nano with two very busy clowns was just too much for it. Recommend it be added to a very "peaceful" tank with plenty of places to hide out in.

Decided clowns and goby needed company, so went and got one of these from LFS. Small Juvenile, captive bred - $12.00 @ The Shark Reef, Silverdale, Wa. Only question would clowns behave and leave new addition alone. So far, there has been some minor chasing about, but no serious nipping. The Banggai has found some shelter behind large Kenya Tree in tank. It is a very shy fish. While staying mostly hidden during the day, it comes out and wanders at night, when other fish activity is minimal. Very nice looking and peaceful addition to 12 gal. Nano.


a.k.a.: Bangaii Cardinalfish, Kauderni Cardinal, Hifin Cardinal, Hi-Fin Cardinal, Longfin Cardinalfish

Endemic: Indonesia

Maximum Size: The banggai cardinalfish should grow to a maximum size of 3.0 inches

Minimum Tank Size : The minimum tank size should be 20 gallons (this is considered small for multiple individuals of this species.

Care: The banggai cardinalfish is a very hardy fish to maintain. On a scale of 1 –10, (10 being easy) it would rate a “9”. The tank should already be cycled before introducing this fish.

Tank Conditions: Temperature 77-79°F; Specific gravity: 1.021 – 1.024; pH: 8.1 – 8.3; Nitrates should be no more than 20 ppm.

Color: The banggai cardinalfish – as picture shows has one primary color broken up with white dots and bold black lines running vertical and along the fin edges.

Temperament: This is a good fish, however very shy and somewhat reclusive. It can ultimately become aggressive to other cardinalfishs of its kind. It is generally not aggressive. More than one can maintained, however, decorate the tank with plenty of live rock layered with plenty of nooks for hiding – also if you do house multiple individuals you will need a large tank – stock using the guide of 1 inch of fish for every 12 inches of tank. A cardinalfish may aggressively defend its spot is the tank.

Reef Compatible: (Excellent) Will do well in a reef aquarium.

Diet: The banggai cardinalfish is basically a carnivore such as brine-shrimp, plankton, clams, mussels, and squid. Feed dried and frozen fish food.

Habitat: Provide with plenty of hiding places. Good water circulation is important as well as high quality water maintenance. Filtration should include a protein skimmer and activated carbon filtration.

Lighting: Depending on the tank setup you desire. The banggai cardinalfish needs no special setup

Compatibility: Cardinalfish in general can be kept with, catfish, filefish, firefish, gobies, rabbitfish to name a few and they should not be housed with groupers, sharks, lionfish or rays and can be a problem if housed with damselfish, grammas, and triggerfish.

Additional Facts: Although known to science since 1933, this spectacular Cardinalfish is only a recent addition to the aquarium trade. Does great in captivity. Although it is usually quite peaceful with other fishes, they typically require a large to tank to be successfully kept in groups. Groups will get along initially, but will pair off and/or begin fighting unless the tank is very large (100 gallons or more). Relatively easy to breed in the home aquarium, but be prepared to lose a good number of specimens while pairs are established. Keep only with small peaceful fishes. A great community fish.

One of the fasinating things about this fish is it is the male who carries the eggs, in his mouth. Since its introduction numerous hobbyists have had several spwnings and hatchings. This fish is actaully easier to raise young from than the more popular Clownfish, and the live larval foods required are not as difficult as clownfish fry.

More Info

Cardinals, Sentries of the Sea

Raising Banggai Babies

Captive care and Breeding of the Banggai cardinal fish

written by Frank Marini Ph.D.
on raising banggai cardinals.

NOTE!

Banggai cardinal among additions to Red List

(PracticalFishKeeping)

The Banggai cardinal, Pterapogon kauderni, is among the new additions to the 2007 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Pterapogon kauderni has been classified as endangered in the 2007 Red List because its small population has suffered dramatic declines in recent years due to over-collecting for the aquarium trade.

Earlier this year, the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) rejected a decision by the United States to protect Pterapogon kauderni on Appendix II of CITES.

CITES claimed that recent evidence showed that the trade in the species appeared to be sustainable and that the species could be exploited under proper management, making listing under a CITES Appendix unnecessary.

[omard]

Decided on doing the Banggai Cardinal Fish instead of Shrimp Goby. Might answer some questions for "truck24000."

Will save the Pink Spotted Shrimp Goby for another month.

[Matt Rogers]

Very nice write up on the Bangaii Cardinal Scott.

I appreciate that you went the captive-bred route with this fish. The ones in the wild are having a hard time. Great fish.

[omard]

Originally Posted by Matt Rogers

Very nice write up on the Bangaii Cardinal Scott.

I appreciate that you went the captive-bred route with this fish. The ones in the wild are having a hard time. Great fish.

Hopefully won't be much more need for wild fish both this and many others in future. Making $$$ in ones garage is a big motivator. -- Unfortunatly reef collectors will probably go more for rarer and more exotic fish to make up difference.


BTW ---- doing FOTM entries is great way to learn about one's own fish. Am going to do an entry for every type fish in my tanks...as long as no one else puts another up.

[Matt Rogers]

Sweet Scott, go for it!
(That is what I was doing, until I ran out of fish. lol)

[omard]

Originally Posted by Matt Rogers

Sweet Scott, go for it!
(That is what I was doing, until I ran out of fish. lol)

Ok...I have a ways to go yet.