Sexing Benggai Cardinals

[DeadlyMuffin]

Can anyone explain (or even better, show with pictures) how to accurately sex Benggai cardinalfish? I've run across descriptions, mostly concerning the squareness of the jaw, but I'm still not sure what I should be looking for.

I'd like to pick up a pair and (hopefully) breed them. They seem like an easy fish to start with, and I think they're gorgeous.

Thanks in advance!

 

[dalilgriffith]

id really like to know too

 

[SeaMunky]

Well I just purchased a mated pair, and only differences I see right now, are ones larger than the other, and on has a much longer second top fin...

 

[SeaMunky]

Bangaiis

Bangaiis

Heres my pair..

 

[dalilgriffith]

Where did you purchase the pair?
Links to site with existing pairs?

 

[SeaMunky]

I bought my pair from a local guy...I wouldnt know where to send ya to look..i searched for months for mine..I am in canada, I use www.aquariumpros.ca for most my stuff, as well www.reefsanctuary.com is a good spot for stuff aswell..

 

[Bluespot22]

I heard that the second spine is way longer on the male.

 

[SeaMunky]

It is on my male Bluespot ...First thing I noticed, so I looked it up and yes thats one factor in sexing them..

 

[FMarini]

Males have pants w/ suspenders and females don't wear suspenders......

Actually its pretty much impossible to accurately assess these fish. I know while I wrote back in '96 that you can tell males from female due to squared off vs rounded jawlines and second dorsal fins. Neither of these theories has held up to scrutiny over the 12 yrs. Infact an article describing morphometric analysis of these fish states that there is NO outward differences between the sexes of these fish.
so.... the easist way to determine sexing is to watch the fish and their behavior, these fish pair-bond pretty well and this will lead you to your choices.

Heres some basic reading
Notes and observations on Raising and Breeding the Banggai Cardinalfish (1996)
http://www.breedersregistry.org/Articles/v4_i4_marini/marini.htm

"Captive care and Breeding of the Banggai cardinal (1997)
http://www.reefs.org/library/talklog/f_marini_020799.html

FAQ on Banggai Cardinals (1996)
http://www.reefs.org/library/article/f_marini.html

The Joys of Tank Raised Banggai Cardinalfish (1997)
http://www.reefs.org/library/talklog/k_clarke_102499.html

 

[ediaz]

So the confection of tiny little suspenders makes less difficult to pair this so problematic specie.

The E

 

[DeadlyMuffin]

Looking for tiny suspenders makes sense. Probably more polite than lifting up tiny skirts.

 

[ediaz]

Yeah, but the later is more fun!!

E

 

[SeaMunky]

FMarini: Wow thanks for the links..they are a huge help in getting things ready, and provided me with a great timeline to somewhat follow..Much appreciated my friend