bang guy
Moderator
I have been asked to write a guest article on Banggai Cardinalfish for today’s Fish Of the Week.
Banggai Cardinal, Banner Cardinal, Bengai Cardinal, Buddha Cardinal, or Hi-fin Cardinal are all referring to one of the heartiest marine fish in the hobby. They can survive weeks without food, heal injuries quickly and rarely fall victim to disease. They don’t require spacious environments, special salinity or temperatures. What they do require is a varied meaty diet. Very few will accept flaked foods. Frozen Mysis, Minced Scallops, etc. makes for healthy Banggai.
These fish originate in the waters off the remote Banggai island in the Indonesian archipelago where their numbers are reportedly dwindling rapidly. They normally hunt at twilight for planktonic crustaceans they can pluck from the water column from the calm waters of a rocky ledge of rock crevices.
Mated Banggai Pair
Cardinalfish are mouth brooders and the offspring of Banggai are quite large as far as marine fish go. Nearly 1/4" once released from the males mouth. This makes it rather easy to raise they fry as they are able to eat Artemia nauplii within seconds of their birth.
New Born Banggai
These fish are very peaceful members of the aquarium community and extremely reef safe. The only quarrel can be between other Cardinalfish or the female chasing fish away from the male while he is carrying.
Male Showing off a Mouthful of Eggs
It has been my experience that most humans, myself included, are not adept at identifying the characteristics between immature male and female Banggai. Male Banggai seem to have a knack for instantly identifying another male and they will normally fight until only one male is left. I have also discovered that females that have bred in the past will chase away other females when a male is present.
The Mating Dance
Let's hear from all of you who have or who have had Banggai in the past. Post your good or bad experiences and of course, some awesome pictures would be icing on the cake.
Banggai Cardinal, Banner Cardinal, Bengai Cardinal, Buddha Cardinal, or Hi-fin Cardinal are all referring to one of the heartiest marine fish in the hobby. They can survive weeks without food, heal injuries quickly and rarely fall victim to disease. They don’t require spacious environments, special salinity or temperatures. What they do require is a varied meaty diet. Very few will accept flaked foods. Frozen Mysis, Minced Scallops, etc. makes for healthy Banggai.
These fish originate in the waters off the remote Banggai island in the Indonesian archipelago where their numbers are reportedly dwindling rapidly. They normally hunt at twilight for planktonic crustaceans they can pluck from the water column from the calm waters of a rocky ledge of rock crevices.
Mated Banggai Pair
Cardinalfish are mouth brooders and the offspring of Banggai are quite large as far as marine fish go. Nearly 1/4" once released from the males mouth. This makes it rather easy to raise they fry as they are able to eat Artemia nauplii within seconds of their birth.
New Born Banggai
These fish are very peaceful members of the aquarium community and extremely reef safe. The only quarrel can be between other Cardinalfish or the female chasing fish away from the male while he is carrying.
Male Showing off a Mouthful of Eggs
It has been my experience that most humans, myself included, are not adept at identifying the characteristics between immature male and female Banggai. Male Banggai seem to have a knack for instantly identifying another male and they will normally fight until only one male is left. I have also discovered that females that have bred in the past will chase away other females when a male is present.
The Mating Dance
Let's hear from all of you who have or who have had Banggai in the past. Post your good or bad experiences and of course, some awesome pictures would be icing on the cake.
