Bangaii Cardinal

Banggai Cardinalfish: Elegant Schooling Beauty

Banggai Cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni) are among the most striking and peaceful fish available for reef aquariums. With their distinctive black and white vertical stripes, elegant flowing fins, and unique spotted pattern, these captivating fish create a stunning visual display, especially when kept in small groups. Their calm demeanor and reef-safe nature make them ideal for community reef tanks.

Why Banggai Cardinalfish?

• Stunning black and white striped pattern with elegant finnage
• Peaceful temperament - excellent for community reef tanks
• Can be kept in groups for impressive schooling behavior
• Completely reef-safe - won't harm corals or invertebrates
• Hardy and beginner-friendly once acclimated
• Fascinating mouthbrooding behavior - males incubate eggs in their mouth
• Slow, graceful swimming adds elegance to any display

Care Requirements:

• Temperature: 72-78°F
• Salinity: 1.023-1.025
• pH: 8.1-8.4
• Minimum tank size: 30 gallons (larger for groups)
• Carnivorous diet - feed meaty foods 2-3 times daily (mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, pellets)
• Provide rockwork with caves and overhangs for shelter
• Low to moderate water flow - they prefer calmer areas

Feeding: Banggai Cardinals are carnivores that readily accept frozen and prepared foods. Offer a varied diet of mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and high-quality pellets. They prefer to feed in the water column and may be shy feeders initially - target feeding can help ensure they get adequate nutrition.

Group Dynamics: Banggai Cardinals can be kept singly, in pairs, or in small groups (3-5 fish work well). Groups create impressive displays as they school together. Provide adequate space and hiding spots to minimize territorial disputes.

Behavior: These peaceful fish are generally timid and prefer areas with moderate flow and plenty of hiding spots. They often hover near rockwork or in caves and are most active during feeding time. They are compatible with most peaceful reef fish but may be outcompeted for food by aggressive eaters.

Max Size: 3 inches

Each Banggai Cardinalfish is carefully quarantined and inspected to ensure you receive a healthy, beautifully patterned specimen ready to add elegance and peaceful beauty to your reef aquarium.