Banggai Cardinal Hiding?

[vamaro]

I placed a banggai cardinal in my 220 display 3 days ago. He has been hiding in the rocks since he was put in the tank. I can see him and he is alive, but there is no way he will be able to eat in the location he is hiding.

Is this normal for them to hide for a few days? Do they need other banggai in the tank? I only got one because I heard that they fight, however I see them together in LFS's all the time.

Tank is a 220 with a lot of rock. Nothing is picking on him.

 

[xr4kw]

I have a pair in a much smaller tank (72g). They never fight each other. They never hide in the rocks but I've also had them for over a year.

 

[vamaro]

This guy is just hiding. No way he can eat where he is.

 

[boxer385]

i have one when i first placed him in the tank he did the same thing he will come out when ready, same for feeding it will come out to eat when ready just place the food and observe, they are very hardy.

 

[sanchoy]

banggais from my experience are semi-skittish. They will hide from time to time. and come out at night/ nocturnal. They do best in groups, it makes them more secure. I bought 5 awhile back, for the first week they hid behind the rock. Now they cruise constantly and eat in the open. Give them time.

If they don't eat, try feeding at night.

 

[Wolverine]

This guy is just hiding. No way he can eat where he is.

I'd bet he can. If your tank has any kind of live substrate, he's finding things to eat. Also, remember that male banggai will go for 4 weeks without eating when they carry fry, so a few days is not a big deal.

 

[Wolverine]

Oh, and, IME, two will usually not fight. If they are of opposite sexes, they'll pair up, if they're the same sex, they have nothing to fight over. It's when you have 3 that you're more likely to run into trouble.

 

[vamaro]

I have been seeing him come out in the early am before I leave for work. I only purchased one, but I will pick up one more to see if that helps.