Sexing PJ Cardinals

[Cuervo]

The first fish I ever got were 4 PJ Cardinals. Picked them up when they were about a half inch long.

Over the past 3 years, they've grown to what I believe is full size, maybe around 2 or 2.5 inches.

I never saw them acting aggressively, but I did occasionally see a nipped fin. Mysteriously, over time, 2 of the original 4 have died, it happened out of the blue, and I wasn't having any problems with anything else in the tank. Knowing what I know now, I believe they were not so happy with the harem lifestyle.

Does anyone have any tips on telling if I am left with a male and a female, or two of the same sex? I've never seen any signs of mouth brooding, but tbh I've only started looking very closely within the past couple of months. I don't think they are breeding right now, because I only feed them once a day on most days and twice a day a couple of times per week.

So what do you think the chances are that I have a pair?

 

[mwp]

Frank may have some good insight. All I can cite are my Apogon leptacanthus, where I have 2F and 1M, as well as my now defuct attempts at Apogon margaritophorus, which was a 1F 2M group. The apogons seemed to tolerate other members of the same sex much better than the Bangaii's do, so to have 4 that "suddenly" went down to 2, I'm not sure if that would automatically signify that you have a pair (whereas it probably would in the Bangaiis).

UP the feedings to do something more like feeding to satiation 3 times per day with a wide assortment of quality foods, and if they're happy, they should breed if they're a pair. I had NO problems getting both groups to spawn regularly. Look up the Apogon leptacanthus breeding log - it's probably the most info posted here on rearing cardinalfish OTHER than the Bangaii.

FWIW,

Matt

 

[mwp]

BTW, get the phyto cultures, SS, L Strain and whatever else you can get going NOW, before they breed. I only managed to get 45 days out of my Apogon leptacanthus in my best attempt...they are more difficult than clownfish. Sure, they've been done (i.e. ORA is doing Pajamas and Apogon compressus, but I haven't heard any insider info on how they're acheiving their success)

FWIW,

Matt

 

[Cuervo]

I have quite a while before I begin to attempt any breeding. I am still in the "should I or shouldn't I" stage. lol

Right now, I have a GSM Pair that I'm 90% sure is laying eggs in my rockwork, an Oscellaris Pair that would probably start with a little encouragement, a female Mandarin, and a possible pair of PJ's.

I did mispeak on the PJ's. What happened is about 6 months ago, out of the blue, I lost one of the 4. Then about 2 months ago, I lost another. I haven't added any fish to the tank in 8 or 9 months, and I've only added a single coral in that time also.

I'm going on a cruise next week and taking Wilkerson and Hoff for a little light reading. When I get back I'll have decided if I want to do some breeding. It does appear to be very enjoyable and rewarding though!! (oh yeah and I've been lurking here big time for the past month or so.. I think I've made it back 9 months so far...lol)