breeding banggai cardinals question.

[royalreef09]

I recently got 4 banggai cardinals from a friend at the begining all 4 was on a group after a week they split now only 2 stay closer to each other the other 2 are always hiding and only get out to eat and now one seems to have a big mouth and dosent eat at all. Is he going to have babies or is sick? I am setting up a new tank that have a sump but is just 7 days old so for now I only have a 10 gallon tank that can use as a emergency tank if need it. any recomendations?

 

[reggiepe]

IME the one that is hiding is quite likely a male and holding. Sit in front of the tank and watch him. Occasionally you will get a peek at him opening his mouth wide and tumbling the eggs. It is difficult sometimes to figure out the pair when all four are together, but through perseverance you will discover the breeders.