i am trying to pair Banggai Cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni)

[shane 1111]

i have one large banggai
i just got a small one it is in a specimen container/ breeder box.
if the are the same sex how will they act towards each other?
the first day i put the in they shivered towards each other. now the just look at each other.
how can i tell if they wont kill each other?

 

[Jerry W]

Time will tell. IME, the most accurate way to pair them up is to purchase a small group and watch them. As sexually immature juveniles, they will tend to hang together. Once they mature however, males will fight. A m/f pair will be fine and you'll see them pair off. Once you think you have a pair, remove the rest.

 

[shane 1111]

yes i know this. i have had this one for 2 years so that is not a choice

 

[shane 1111]

i need to know how to tell if he is acting aggressive.
he swims around the container very interested in the new fish.

 

[mark97r6]

You may get more help asking in the breeding forum.
What size tank are they in? Make sure the new introduction is eating well and in top condition before letting it go.
As if it gets bullied, which is not always apparant. It will decline in health quite rapidly, so it must be well.

If they pair they will hang around with each other most of the time (day and night). Obviously this is more obvious in a larger tank than one where they cannot get away from each other.

Some Bagghiis that have been alone for a while like yours dont accept a mate though, even if they are opposite sexes!

The only way to do it really is to watch them very closly.

HTH
Mark

 

[Wolverine]

There may not be any aggression. I've seen many tanks with two male or two female banggai together that have no trouble until another one of the opposite sex is added. That's when the battle starts.

Dave

 

[mark97r6]

I agree with Dave's comment about 2 of the same sex with no interests to compete for. Though i would be surprised to see this result as the origional has been in there for so long.

The size of the tank is a really big factor here though!
Good luck
Mark

 

[Silencer]

I'm also fairly interested in this. I want to have 2 Banggai's in my new 180g but the stores always keep them seperated with only one per tank. I'm really worried about getting 2 random ones and having them fight each other. Does anyone have any tips on selecting them or know where I can get an actual pair?

 

[Wolverine]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7062983#post7062983 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Silencer
I'm also fairly interested in this. I want to have 2 Banggai's in my new 180g but the stores always keep them seperated with only one per tank. I'm really worried about getting 2 random ones and having them fight each other. Does anyone have any tips on selecting them or know where I can get an actual pair?

The only useful way to select them is to find a group at a store, and find two that seem to always be around together. Someone will probably chime in about the jaw shape and the length of the dorsal spine. If you follow that advice you have a 50% chance of getting a pair, which, (for the statistics majors), is the same as if you randomly selected two.

Dave

 

[shane 1111]

my tank is a 50 gallon

 

[shane 1111]

i let the new one out and he went into a cave and doesn't come out.
the big one has not attacked the new one or any thing

 

[mark97r6]

50g is a reasnable tank size!
Just keep you fingers crossed and observe a lot! Thats about all you can do.

Good luck and keep us informed on how it goes!
Mark

 

[shane 1111]

it didn't work. my current one want crazy and is chasing all my other fish now.
i caught the small one he was not damaged. the small one is now in my 10 gallon tank

 

[DirtySouth056]

check this thread: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=255349