Adding a 2nd Bangai Cardinal...

Mike in CT · Feb 8, 2016

Hi everyone,
About a year and a half ago I ordered a bonded pair of Bangai's off DD. They never got along and always stayed in different areas of my tank (75G) from the get go. Eventually one went missing... maybe from being harassed from the more dominant one and I never saw him again. I think maybe my BCS got him after he passed.
So now I have had only one for the past year and a half and he (I think?) is healthy and thriving. I really like to add another so I have a pair, but I'm not sure how to go about it.
Should I just put another one in at a time and see if they get along, or should I put 2 more so I have a better chance and bring the odd man back to the LFS if 2 pair up. I am placing a order with LA aquaria soon, but the Bangai there come in pretty small and my guy is full grown. Any ones experience with this would be appreciated!

NanaReefer · Feb 8, 2016

Read this [emoji2]
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/blog/how-to-determine-the-sex-of-banggai-cardinalfish

dacianb · Feb 9, 2016

Same for me - bought in my first tank 2 of them (smaller size) - one aggressive towards the other. After a year or so, one was twice the size of the other, as smaller one was not allowed to eat most of time.

Now I have a new tank, I added only one and everything is fine.

eatbreakfast · Feb 9, 2016

Remove him and get a pr. Even if you get one that is not the same gender, anytime I have seen a new Bangaii added to an older one, it always ended up in the death of one, usually the newer one.

Mike in CT · Feb 9, 2016

NanaReefer said:
Read this [emoji2]
http://www.advancedaquarist.com/blog/how-to-determine-the-sex-of-banggai-cardinalfish

Thanks! I will try to get a good look/pictures to if I can see what sex it is.

Mike in CT · Feb 9, 2016

eatbreakfast said:
Remove him and get a pr. Even if you get one that is not the same gender, anytime I have seen a new Bangaii added to an older one, it always ended up in the death of one, usually the newer one.

I have thought about that also. I'm a timid about getting another pair from DD, because I think the ones they call "bonded" are too small and have not really bonded, but are more likely just hanging out together.
I think my only options are to stay with just one or get another pair and see if it works.

Thanks!

eatbreakfast · Feb 9, 2016

Mike in CT said:
I have thought about that also. I'm a timid about getting another pair from DD, because I think the ones they call "bonded" are too small and have not really bonded, but are more likely just hanging out together.
I think my only options are to stay with just one or get another pair and see if it works.

Thanks!

I find that getting the pr from an LFS is the way to go. It is fairly easy to see if they are a pr or not.

NanaReefer · Feb 9, 2016

Most importantly is to first ask if they are CB or WC. Never buy a WC!

eatbreakfast · Feb 9, 2016

NanaReefer said:
Most importantly is to first ask if they are CB or WC. Never buy a WC!

I don't agree with this at all! Most of the wc ones that make their way to the states are collected from invasive populations around Bali. They are hardier than those collected from Bangaii atoll and cb ones.

Mike in CT · Feb 9, 2016

I think I would still go with a CB. I don't think most LFS could definitively tell you where they were caught. I am not an expert by no means, but I have always been told that survival rates of WC Bangai's are pretty low compared to CB.

eatbreakfast · Feb 9, 2016

Mike in CT said:
I think I would still go with a CB. I don't think most LFS could definitively tell you where they were caught. I am not an expert by no means, but I have always been told that survival rates of WC Bangai's are pretty low compared to CB.

IME cb have been weaker, smaller, and more likely ti be deformed.

WC from Bangaii atoll did have that reputation and somehow spread it as gospel for all wc throughout the hobby. But the trip from Bangaii atoll is three days by boat in the hot sun to Bali, where they would be shipped from. Three extra days of travel under those conditions will have a detrimental effect on their hardiness.

The ones that are collected that are invasive to Bali are much hardier, because they aren't facing that arduous transport, and should be collected because they happen to be invasive.

Philt56 · Feb 9, 2016

I originally bought a trio and after a year maybe, one started hiding and eventually disappeared. The remaining 2 are fine although one is definitely more dominant and stays out more. So I'm just saying if you buy 3, you may not see any bonding between 2 for quite a while.