Bangaii breeding; banging my head

[hvacman250]

I ordered a juv. pair of Bangaiis from Inland Aquatics about 6 months ago. They went into a cycled 20H by themselves. All was well until one died out of the blue about 10 days after buying them. Thinking pairing the lone fish would be near impossible, I traded it to the LFS.

A week ago I decided to try this again. Feeling sorry for me, Inland cut me a break on a "near adult" pair of tank bred Bangaiis. One was larger than the other. They shipped good, looked good for a couple days, but the bigger one seemed to be harassing the smaller one a couple times a day. Today, the little one is crab food. They were in a 29 by themselves.

Now Im left with a lone fish again and wasted about $300.

Whats my chances with a wild caught from the LFS? $17 vs. $90 shipped tank bred is tempting me. I thought tank raised are hardier. These fish were given a tank to themselves. About 20-30 lbs of rock with 3-4 overhangs and caves. I thought I was doing everythign right, but I'm 0-2 on a pair and getting frustrated.

I'm a pretty experienced saltwater keeper, so I dont think its me. Whats up with these fish?

Any advice?

 

[Thumbster]

I am by no means an expert but I bought my pair a couple months ago at the LFS. I can't swear to it but I believe that they are wild caught. They are adult sized.

There were 3 in the tank and these two were hanging out together so I took the chance and it turns out that they are a pair. They mated and the male was holding eggs within 9 days I think. Five days later he ate them but at least I know they are a pair.

I have since moved them into a 20 gallon long by themselves in an effort to make things easier on me when he does decide to hold eggs for the duration, and I am working on getting them to eat flake and NLS pellets. It took about a week but the female is eating it, the male is starting to mouth the flake and spit it out.

They don't harrass each other so I would assume that you got 2 males. I would get the $17 one if it were me. Just go to the store, find 2 that are hanging out together and put them in a QT to watch them, or, since you already have one, get one and watch for aggression.

 

[Jaypilot]

I am not new with saltwater my self but I am pretty new with breeding and as of now I have two pair of cardinals (I think) and three pairs of clowns.

From what I have read about cardinals is they are really hardy fish after they have been established in an aquarium. However with that being said they do not travel well and a lot of local fish stores have a hard time with them unless if they can buy them local.

As far as my success with cardinals its almost none at this point. I have purchased about 15 fish at this point and to date I am down to 5 fish. I have two pair that seem to get along good but i think they are too young to have babies at this point. The fish that died I believe died as a result of being harassed by the larger males. The reason I suspect this is because it was a slow death that took about two months with badly damaged fins. Unfortunately every time I tried to relocate that fish it would be with another male that would harass them more.

since then I haven't lost a fish now in about two months and all the fish seem to look good with fins nicely intact.

good luck with your cardinals and keep us posted.

 

[sullyfish]

It took me a few tries but what worked best is buying a half dozen at the LFS and waiting it out. the first few times I had the same infighting issues as you, but the third time worked. ( I would trade them back to the LFS after a 4-5 months for a new group ). In two weeks of adding the third group the male was carrying and hasnt stopped since. I know it is frustrating though be patient and you will be rewarded.

 

[hvacman250]

It took me a few tries but what worked best is buying a half dozen at the LFS and waiting it out. the first few times I had the same infighting issues as you, but the third time worked. ( I would trade them back to the LFS after a 4-5 months for a new group ). In two weeks of adding the third group the male was carrying and hasnt stopped since. I know it is frustrating though be patient and you will be rewarded.

Wild caught or tank bred?

 

[sullyfish]

Wild caught or tank bred?

they were all wild caught