Banggai cardinalfish

Environment

Minimum volume 150 liters for a small group (4-6 individuals). Tropical marine water: 24-28°C, pH 8.0-8.4, density 1.023-1.025, salinity 32-35 ppt. Prefers calm areas with little current. Provide hiding places (rocks, corals) and keep with anemones or long-spined sea urchins (Diadema setosum) with which it naturally associates. Moderate lighting. Efficient filtration but low current.

Feeding

Strict carnivore. Feed with small live or frozen prey: adult brine shrimp, mysis, chopped krill, small pieces of fish or shrimp flesh. Avoid dry flakes which it accepts poorly. Distribute 1 to 2 times per day in small quantities. Young specimens may require live food at the beginning of acclimation.

Tips & tankmates

Peaceful gregarious species, ideal for peaceful reef tanks. Compatible with small calm fish (peaceful damsels, gobies), invertebrates and corals. Avoid aggressive or overly active fish. Males incubate eggs in their mouth (15-20 days), reproduction possible in aquarium. WARNING: ENDANGERED species (IUCN) in the wild due to overfishing for the aquarium trade and its very restricted range. Absolutely prioritize captive-bred individuals to avoid worsening pressure on wild populations. Verify traceability when purchasing.

Sources

• FishBase - Pterapogon kauderni
• IUCN Red List - Pterapogon kauderni
• Seriously Fish - Banggai Cardinalfish