Bengai Cardinal acting weird

[Noxsolaris]

Got home today and one of my two Cardinals is down hiding behind my rockwork in the bottom corner of the tank. The two are usually pretty inseparable so this is very strange to see. They usually hang around midtank in open water. The only thing I can think of that might have happened is my BTA moved at some point in the past 24 hours while I was away. Maybe the Cardinal got stung? Everyone else is doing just fine.

 

[moz71]

I have one (of a pair) that always hides. Not sure if a male and female thing. One more gutsy to come out and eat. The other always stays behind rocks. Could just be a new normal behavior or other possibility are they mating bearing eggs etc. I know they are mouth breeders so could be a beginning of so called nesting. Just a guess though

 

[Cell]

My banghai always kind of hides. It amazes me sometime how such a big fish can be so subtle.

 

[moz71]

Btw they are much more active at night. I guess some nocturnal. When I pass at night with lights out on tank they are always zipping around. But lights on 95 percent in back of tank especially with the more fish out in. Picture of fish looks healthy too so I wouldn’t worry at all

 

[Noxsolaris]

Thanks for the responses. Just wanted to make sure this wasn’t worrying behavior.

 

[Noxsolaris]

Update: She has moved to the top of the tank around the skimmer hardware and hides out there most of the day. I did catch the larger bangaii rush at her when she tried to venture out and she quickly retreated back into the corner (cue Patrick Swayze). The only time he really doesn’t mess with her is during feeding time. She will dart out to grab some food and then hurry back. I think he is too interested in being a glutton to mess with her then. I’ve heard of the mirror trick for aggressive clowns. Does this work for other fish as well? Thanks.

 

[nereefpat]

As bangaiis mature, they only tolerate each other in a m/f pair. It could be they are both males.

 

[Noxsolaris]

As bangaiis mature, they only tolerate each other in a m/f pair. It could be they are both males.

I was looking at the banner fins and one is noticeably longer than the other. I know this isn’t a clear indicator, but the best one my novice eyes can use. Hopefully they work it out. Worst case I will have to rehome the bullied one or see if the local LFS will do an exchange or something.

 

[LucentFish]

i had two which were doing fine together, then had more sides to a tank. One ended up eating more, getting bigger and forcing the other to hide in rocks/feeding ring. eventually harassed it to death Very similar pattern of behaviour unfortunately to yours.