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are classified to the family Apogogonidae.
Over 200 individual species comprise this genus.
Cardinalfishes are endemic to both that Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
These ray finned fish are primarily a marine species. Although they
also inhabit brackish water found where bodies of saltwater and
freshwater come together. Cardianlfish
distinguished by their disproportionately large
mouths and the division of their dorsal fins into two different fins.
The Banggai or Pterapogon
is the cardinalfish most
commonly raised by home aquarium owners. Banggai cardinalfish is native
to the shallow water reef systems found around the twenty-seven island
cluster of Banggai Archipelago in Indonesia.
cardinalfish is relatively small only growing to a total
length of approximately four inches. They have a striking color pattern
of consisting of three black bars running vertically across the head
and body. They have prominent black anterior edges on their anal and
second dorsal fin. They also have a white dot patterning that develops
during adolescence. Banggais have a maximum life expectancy of five
Banggai are an
excellent choice for amateur saltwater aquarists.
This is an extremely robust and docile creature. They
are rated reef
safe and can be easily kept with most fish typically found in marine
reef aquarium. These fish function better in groups. You should have at
least six if you intend to keep them in your aquarium. Avoid mixing
them with more aggressive species.
Like many reef
fish these fish are hiders and will require plenty
of hiding places. They have an especial affinity for live hiding
places. Young fish display a preference for sea anemone. Adults and
juveniles prefer the company long-spined sea urchins, branching corals,
and sea stars.
nocturnal. So you will seem them most active in a dimly lit
these fish is in such high demand that collecting
them for the aquarium industry is threatening them with extinction in
the wild. Recent surveys identified a drastic decline in the numbers of
two different species from 2001-2004. The population off Limbo Island
has been fished into extinction.
are carnivores. They will eat frozen or dried foods
formulated for marine carnivores. You can also feed them as vitamin
enriched brine shrimp or finely chopped fresh shrimp or squid from your
for their continued long-term survival as a species,
this fish is known to breed in captivity. Males and females are similar
in coloration. Males can often be distinguished by their larger oral
cavities. The male’s jaws will become darker when it enters
breeding cycle. The females body will become rounder as eggs develop
Banggai have a tendency to pair up for spawning purposes. Once
paired the mating couple will establish a breeding territory away from
the main group and will defend it vigorously. You will want to remove
the fish to a breeding tank once they start showing signs of pairing.
The breeding tank will also require plenty of hiding places.
The female will lay extraordinarily large eggs for a fish of her
size. She should be removed from the tank once she gas laid her eggs.
Cardinalfish are mouthbrooders. The Benggai male will gather the eggs
into the protective cavity of his mouth. He will keep the eggs and fry
in his mouth until are fully developed. The developmental period ranges
from 20-30 days. The male will not eat until after he releases the fry.
He will be quite hungry by the time the fry are released. You will
want to watch the tank carefully and remove the male promptly after
release to prevent him from devouring the fry. Fry can be fed newly
hatched brine shrimp.
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