Banggai Cardinalfish question?

[localfreak]

I want to add a pair of TR Bangaii Cardinalfish to my 120g that currently only holds a pair of clowns and various anenome and polyps. Any advice for these guys? Are they the same as clowns as far as determining sex? How do I know Ive got Bob and Jane instead of Larry and Jack? (No offense if your name is Larry or Jack!)

 

[Wolverine]

Re: Banggai Cardinalfish question?

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7268535#post7268535 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by localfreak
I want to add a pair of TR Bangaii Cardinalfish to my 120g that currently only holds a pair of clowns and various anenome and polyps. Any advice for these guys? Are they the same as clowns as far as determining sex? How do I know Ive got Bob and Jane instead of Larry and Jack? (No offense if your name is Larry or Jack!)

No, they're not the same as clowns. And, essentially, you won't know what you have until one of them is carrying eggs. Within 3 or 4 post someone will likely give some advice based on the jaw shape or the length of the second dorsal fin. This idea was originally floated out there, but, unfortunately, it doesn't really work consistently. It does work about 50% of the time, which is the same odds you have if you pick two at random.

Now, if you can find a tank at an LFS that has several banggai, you can usually find two that spend more time near each other than near any of the others. Getting these two is your best bet.

Dave

 

[Fishfirst]

most likely one of them will die from the other harrassing it. Its best to get five or more and figure it out how wolverine described.

 

[localfreak]

Thanks for the input...thats more than I came with!

 

[km133688]

If your goal is a breeding pair, then it is best to buy them that way from a place that does tank bred banggais.

you will find that WC banggai all stiff suffer from parasite infections that kill them after some time. Getting them as a breeding pair will assure they don't kill each other, and getting them as CB will make sure your pair is not sick from the start and doomed to die, and that they will eat frozen foods from the get go.

Good luck, there are two places I have seen online that will sell you paired BCs. It seems like it ain't cheap up front, but in the long run it is way cheaper. You can buy five and kill 4 of them and still not have a pair (or maybe all 5 die), or you can spend the 100 to 150$ and get a pair from the start. Spending the money up front is a better deal in my experience.

Kevin

 

[Shekki]

I've gone through 3 cardinals, although all I hear is that they are hardy fish, even suitable for beginners. I'm not an expert by any means, but I've managed to keep all my corals and other fish alive. It's a shame because they are really good looking...

Robb

 

[Wolverine]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7277362#post7277362 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Shekki
I've gone through 3 cardinals, although all I hear is that they are hardy fish, even suitable for beginners. I'm not an expert by any means, but I've managed to keep all my corals and other fish alive. It's a shame because they are really good looking...

If they were wild-caught then all bets are off. The WC used to be extremely hardy, but now any that aren't tank-raised tend to not do very well. The WC that we get nowadays tend to come in with parasites and other infections and just aren't transferring well.

Dave

 

[km133688]

Yep, I stopped buying them after I killed 7. figured that was enough dead fish and money down the drain. @20$ each plus or minus, it would have been cheaper to start with a CB breeding pair. I would have two breeding fish instead of seven dead ones.

This is one of the experiences that pushes me towards captive bred when ever the species has any issues with it, even when the cost is three or four times higher. It is still worth it.

Once I put the money aside, I am going to get a pair of CB. Or maybe I will get lucky and raise some of my friends fry. We will see. Currently have two little babies in a fish net in my 125 reef. Hope I dont' screw up.

Good luck all, Kevin