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FAQs about Banggai Cardinalfish
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Related Articles: Cardinalfishes,
Related FAQs: Cardinals,
Banggai Cardinals, Banggai ID,
Banggai Behavior, Banggai Compatibility,
Banggai Systems, Banggai Feeding,
Banggai Disease, Banggai Reproduction,
Will everything else leave your Banggais alone? |
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Banggai Boycott? sel. f' 9/22/08
Bob,
Your
letter is up, and I hope we can foment some debate on Eric’s presentation to
MACNA, MASNA and concerned hobbyists.
http://en.microcosmaquariumexplorer.com/wiki/Portal:Letters
Cheers,
James
<I do hope so... or better, to urge discussion of this assertion.
Cheers, BobF>
James M. Lawrence
Editor & Publisher
MICROCOSM Ltd.
Bob, Great letter on Banggais on Microcosm Aquarium Explorer.
9/22/08
Thanks for that. Ret
<Got's to stand up for reality
at times. B>
Ret Talbot
Re: Banggai sel., ongoing... Ret Talbot & RMF 9/22/08
lol...I hear ya. I guess my perspective is that the fishery is currently not
being well-managed
<Mmm, as far as I'm aware, not managed at all... that is
to state, there are no folks at all on site, no counts really... no real data
whatsoever. Seemingly "just" folks elsewhere spouting off>
Bob, Your so-called rants are always welcome here! Thanks again. I agree
whole-heartedly that we need good data and that good data does not currently
exist. Without good data, it is pointless (IMO) to put any management plan in
place. Anyways....cheers for your honesty and willingness to share. All the
best, Ret. Ret Talbotwww.RetTalbot.com
<Ahh, a pleasure. Be seeing you, BobF>
Re: Banggai Blog 9/22/08
http://microcosmaqx.typepad.com/ret_talbot/
<Thanks James. Well-thought
out, composed. BobF>
Hardiness of Pajama Cardinals vs. Banggai Cardinals 2/13/07
Hi again crew,
I have been having the same problems with Banggai Cardinalfish that I have
read about on your site-- they cease to eat, start breathing rapidly, and
then die.
<Does happen... and all too often... and this should not be the case... That
is, Apogonids such as these can be, should be raised in captivity...
regionally... and be well-ready to withstand the rigors of moving,
captivity...>
All of this happens very quickly. I'm not sure, but I think I remember them
having stringy, white feces as well.
Recently, I lost eight! I bought these eight in groups of three, three, and
two, so they did not all come from the same shipment. I quarantined them in
a 30 gallon bare tank, first all together, and then separated the next batch
into three 10-gallon compartments. I tried FW dips before quarantining, and
when that batch died, I skipped the FW dip. None of this made any
difference. I have kept many more difficult fish successfully, but I just
can't keep the Banggais alive (yes, the water parameters are all where they
should be).
<Mmm... I want to say a few things (thanks for this prompting)... the vast
majority of Pterapogon ARE cultured (somewhat), but still imported (from
Indonesia mainly)... and they ARE way too often BUNK! Your experiences are
not atypical...>
The only answer I can comes up with is the mysterious parasite I have read
about which supposedly infects Banggai Cardinals. I was told the fish I
purchased were tank-raised, but who knows if this is true-- and maybe
tank-raised Banggais carry this parasite as well.
So here is my question: are Pajama Cardinals susceptible to the same
parasite?
<... not as far as I'm aware, but have not seen definitive proof of such a
parasitic involvement in the high incidental mortality of this species>
I have not seen much written on your site about the Pajamas since they have
been so overshadowed by the popularity of the Banggais.
<Are old-timey favorites... the two principal species...>
Have you been receiving emails with Pajama Cardinals suffering from the same
symptoms and dropping dead?
<Not as far as I recall, no>
Also, I read that while a group of Pajama Cardinals will establish a pecking
order, they do not display conspecific aggression ( aggression to
other Pajama Cardinals, if I used the term incorrectly) to nearly the same
degree as Banggai Cardinals, making it easier to keep them in a group. Is
this true in your experience, or reports from your readers?
<Mmm, yes... though Sphaeramia can indeed be territorial... though not as
often to as the degree as Banggais>
As always, thanks for taking the time to read this and for offering your
advice.
Art
<Thank you for asking. Bob Fenner>
Quarantine tank Questions - 02/09/2007
Good afternoon crew,
We have a 90G display tank, a 29g QT and a 10G 'pod breeder. The 90's current
denizens are a Coral Beauty Angel, 2 Sebae Clownfish, a Lawnmower Blenny, 2
Lysmata cleaner shrimp, a serpent star, a dozen or so zebra hermit crabs and a
large assortment of snails, an umbrella mushroom coral, 2 small Fungias and a
small Ricordea. In the attached 3.5G 'fuge there are some snails, small feather
dusters and 3 cleaner clams.
<Neat>
NH3, NO2, Phosphate are 0. NO3 is less than 5ppm. We have a 30X turnover of
water every hour.
In the QT (above chem. numbers apply there too) we have a golden damsel as a
permanent resident and a soon to be moved Kole Tang and Royal Gramma. It has
bare glass for a bottom and some 4" PVC pipe for hiding places. Nobody in the QT
has shown any signs of sickness or required any treatment since arriving 2 weeks
ago. Assuming that stays the same for 2 more weeks (when the Tang and Rocket
Propelled Gramma are moved), how long should I wait before adding new fish to
the QT (after a 10G water change)?
<Mmm, no time really>
Our next occupants (for 4 weeks) will likely be a Copperband Butterfly and Six
Line Wrasse with an egg crate divider if you think that's a good idea.
<Likely not necessary>
Following them will be 50# of uncured LR (for 4 weeks followed by a complete WC)
<Likely a few during as well>
to augment the display tank and lastly either 2 or 4 Banggai Cardinalfish (for 4
weeks).
In Bob's CMA (my bible) he talks about needing a mature tank with LR to
supplement the BC's feeding. Should I bring LR from the main tank for them (the
only light on the QT is ambient room light)?
<Mmm, not a bad idea>
Will weekly additions of 'pods be sufficient?
<Should be yes... as long as the fish don't start "too thin">
Also, given the bioload for the main, can we get away with 4 BC's or should we
just do 2?
Thanks for your terrific support, -Ed
<I would go with four here... enough room, and will give you much more to enjoy
behavior-wise. Cheers, Bob Fenner>
Cardinal Fish
Hello, I would like to know if the Banggai or spotted cardinal fish is
the easiest overall to keep.
<This fish is very hardy, but so are many others.>
I have heard that the lights should be
kept off most of the time with these fish as they are nocturnal.
<I have not heard this.>
Is this true?
<I have not heard this, but wouldn't they just come out when the
lights are off?>
Also, is it better to get a pair of three?
<Depends on the tank size and other inhabitants.>
Thank You.
<Take care James, Don>
James
Cardinal Solo?
I would really like a Banggai Cardinal for my 50 SW. However, I
know this is a schooling fish and only have room for one. Will a
single Banggai do o.k., or will the lack of schooling stress it out?
<Not particularly. I have seen them kept successfully in groups in larger
aquariums. The problem in groups is that one or more of the fish will "fall
out of favor" with the "alpha" fish, resulting in the individual
being subjected to constant harassment, which can lead to. well- you get the
picture! One will do just fine! Good luck Regards, Scott F>
R.O device, Banggai Cardinals
Hi Bob,
> <I use a two hundred dollar unit from Home Depot... this is what I suggest you get>
I bought one yesterday. I'll try to get it hooked up soon.
<Ah, good. Make it known if you'd like some help>
Here is an article I found on the Banggai Cardinalfish. A few years ago,
someone at the reef club said they where being over fished.
http://www.animalnetwork.com/fish2/aqfm/1999/july/eq/default.asp
<Thank you for this. Will post on WWM. Bob Fenner>
Cheers,
Madison
Banggai Cardinals
Hello again, Bob...
First off, let me say that I am really jealous about your upcoming trip to
Taveuni...the one in Fiji?
<Yes, the "Garden Isle">
We honeymooned in Fiji two years ago. It was
our first dive trip after certification. Strange weather front, rocky seas
(really scary kind) but what little diving we got in was fantastic. Anyway,
say "hi" to those beautiful reefs for me.
<Will do so>
We're looking into taking another dive trip next spring/early summer. Any
ideas for the Caribbean (we've been to Cayman twice in the past year,
looking for something else this time)?
<All sorts... Bonaire, Cancun/Cozumel, the Virgins have about the most consistent clear water... but the Sandals Resorts on Antigua, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Turks/Caicos... all-inclusives are very nice (two dives a day generally is all) for couples... What do you want to see? Big animals, topography, shore-based attractions? Have you been to Belize?>
Hoping to have a week to spend
somewhere nice with good diving.
Now for the real question...I would love to have a mated pair of Banggai
Cardinals for my 75-gallon reef tank (so far, inhabited by a lone bicolor
blenny on the fish side). However, I'm having a difficult time locating
tank-raised specimens, much less in Dallas, TX. Any ideas on how I could
acquire these fish?
<Should be available most any/everywhere. I'd check with your local fish shops and marine club/s:
http://www.dfwmas.com/
The Dallas/Ft. Worth Club is hosting the next MACNA... they surely have members who have tank-bred Banggais... Contact them. Bob Fenner>
Thanks again for all of your help...
Kind regards,
Misty Johnson
Wayward Banggai
Hi crew! As always, props on the great site. I've got a quick question about my Banggai Cardinals. I bought 3 Banggais about a year ago. As so often happens, one fell out of favor and was isolated from the other 2. I went downstairs one morning about a week later and there were only 2 left. Fast forward 'til today. I was doing some work on my Iwaki return pump (another question, pump isn't pushing the 2000 gph that it used to, haven't found the cause yet). While working on the pump, I spied a Banggai in the sump among all the extra rock I have down there. I assume that it is the one that was bullied a year ago although I guess that it could be offspring from the remaining two. Finally, a question, should I remove the rock from the sump to catch the isolated Banggai and return it to the show tank? Or would it be wiser to pretend that it doesn't exist and not mess with the peace of the remaining two in the show?
<I would see if I could exchange it for a female. I'm thinking this is another male and that's where hell broke loose. I don't think it is an offspring. Seems hard to believe that only one would make it, but possible. These fish do better in groups of three or more, preferably with only one male in the group. James (Salty Dog)>
Tank-raised Banggai Cardinals 03-21-06
Good Day Crew,
<<Hello, Travis here with you today.>>
I've been a great admirer of Banggai cardinals since they first started
appearing in the market some years back. At that time they were rare
and very expensive. After doing some research, I've found that they are on the
brink of being added as an endangered species in the wild.
<<This is correct.>> <Actually... not so... more abundant and
transplanted than ever... RMF>
At the same time their price has continued to drop, currently $11.99 at one
LFS. Is the price drop just because of a greater number of wild caught
specimens on the market, or are tank-bred specimens starting to make an
impact?
<<I have not witnessed a price drop in my area, but it is most likely due to
wild Banggai not lasting more than a week in captivity. This is due to a nasty
strain of internal parasites that have not been responding well to typical
medications.>>
I would love to add a pair, but I don't want to contribute to a
dwindling wild population. What's your opinion?
<<Captive bred Banggai may cost more initially, but you will be much happier
with your purchase in the long run. Travis>>
Thanks much!
Quick Stocking Question...someone that actually cares about
over-stocking!! Yippee! - 4/11/2006
I have a one-year-old 125-gallon SPS/Clam tank with 150lbs of Tonga and Fiji
live rock that is well lit, well circulated, well skimmed and it has good,
stable water quality.
<<Awesome!>>
Besides the usual collection of snails, hermit crabs and worms, I have a 3.5
inch Maroon Gold Striped Clown, a 3 inch Watchman Goby, a 3 inch Lawnmower
Blenny, a 2.5 inch Six Line Wrasse, and two Yellow Tail Blue Damsels. What
would you think about adding two tank-raised Banggai Cardinals?
<<I think you could add more than two, if you plan you future stocking around
them.>> While reading your outstanding site on a daily basis has taught me
enough to be successful in almost every aspect of this noble endeavour, I do not
add/keep enough fish to understand all of the parameters of stocking.
<<That’s alright! I think a trio of Banggai Cardinals would be a great addition
to your tank. You could look into a few more fish as well, perhaps some
schooling Chromis.>>
Thank you in advance for your help.
<<Glad to help Dan!>>
Dan Pellissier
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