Banggai Cardinal pairing?

[ejordan]

I just purchased a pair of Cardinals for my 100gallon reef, and unfortunately, one of them did not survive the shipment.

I accilimated the survivor well, over the course of 2 hours....but he has been remaining in the lower corner of the tank for a good 7 hours now.....he doesnt move from that spot.

He seems to be unhappy, so I am thinking about purchasing another Cardinal to see if I can brighten up his mood....

Anyone have any experience with Cardinals? Are they happier in pairs?

 

[Jens Kallmeyer]

HI

I assume you are talking about Banggai Cardinals, right?
Yes they are definitely happier in pairs, but sexing them is impossible, at least for me and most other people on this planet.
Just buy another one and hope for the best. Or buy two more, and be prepared to take one out after a pair has formed.
If a pair forms, they will not tolerate other fishes of the same species in a 100 gal tank.
The only tank ever I have seen 3 mated and breeding pairs was an L shaped tank of ca. 20 ft length, the pairs were almost evenly spread in the tank, which gives a good estimate of their range.

All other open water Cardinals, PJ's, blue striped, Ochre, etc. can and should be kept in larger groups. The reddish cave dwellers are supposedly quite aggressive bastards, but I don't have personal experience with those.

Best wishes

Jens

 

[Jens Kallmeyer]

HI

Never mind my first sentence, I just missed the title of the thread.
jens