Mated Bangaii Cardinal advice

[msaba]

I recently purchased a pair of tank raised Bangaii Cardinals from Divers den that were placed in my RSM 130D. Couldn't figure out why the smaller of the cardinals kept ending up in the overflow box in the tank until I saw the larger one chasing it today...Is this normal behavior for a mated pair, should I add additional cardinals to diffuse the aggression? any advice would be appreciated. thanks!

 

[Almondsaz]

I just recently started (about 3 months) with Bangaii cardinals and have three in my system. Two have paired off and they chase the one that is not part of the pair. I am going to remove the one that is being chased and give it to the LFS so that it has a chance to thrive. Are the two that you have a lot different in size? Were they sold to you as a male female pair, or just two cardinals?

Mine are currently in their first brood - the male has been holding the eggs for about two weeks now so one more to go. It is their first mating, so I am not hopeful that many will survive.

 

[Wolverine]

It's not uncommon for there to be a little bit of aggression when they're first establishing themselves but not usually that serious. I'd worry that you have two of the same sex.

The experience of two pairing up and ganging up on the 3rd is very common.

 

[msaba]

Thanks for the responses--do the males ever not get along with a particular female and exhibited aggression? Otherwise, I will have to assume the 'female' was mislabeled and try again. appreciate the feedback!

 

[Wolverine]

Female vs female aggression is most common. It's so hard to sex them until you see them carrying eggs that mislabeling (or misdiagnosing) is common.

 

[Almondsaz]

I will have to see if I can find the article and post it again, but there is a clever way to sex the BC without having to wait for the male to carry eggs. It is based on the vent pores where the male exhibits two pores and they are small but visible...but you really have to look. I can now tell the difference between the male and the female in the pair without the male holding the eggs and making his lower jaw protrude. Great article especially if you are looking to breed the BS's. I had to laugh because the BCs are know as the guppy's of the marine fish world as they breed so easily.

EDIT: here is the article http://www.advancedaquarist.com/blog/how-to-determine-the-sex-of-banggai-cardinalfish

 

[msaba]

thanks everyone for your input!

 

[Mldukes]

Im a little late chiming in but i wanted to add. I work at a petstore who recently ordered in 6 cardinals. After a few days 2 began staying in the open and chasing the other 4 into hiding. Pretty obvious they had paired. Took them home and after their first big feeding i can distinctly tell one has 2 "vents", the other having only 1. Ill wait and see if they spawn. I believe the article mentioned above is a legit way to sex Bangaii Cardinals. Although also mentioned this is much more predominate after a large feeding.