Benggai Cardinal

[bolo1904]

I had a pair of Benggai Cardinals. LFS tried to get me a male and female. But said he couldnt guarantee it. After a few days the slightly bigger one started picking on the smaller one. Eventually he would just hide in the far corner and barely even come out. only would come out if there was food really nearby. My assumption is that the are the same sex. My question is, is that an indication they be both Males? Or do females get aggressive too against each other. i was able to catch the smaller one and rehome it. But i want to get another to pair it.

 

[Sailfin11]

I'm not sure about your pair, but the most proven technique for pairing cardinals, chromis etc. is to buy 4 or 5 fish and wait for a dominant pair to form.

 

[ichthyogeek]

^^This.

Additionally, you're going to see male-male aggression as well as female-female aggression in the species. Which is why most people who buy a pair sometimes just end up with one. So it's really up in the air unless you take the time to get the fish really feeding, then check how many vents it has and compare it to the vents of any fish you buy (the full description is a sticky in the breeding subforum).

 

[Auquanut]

Just my experience. I bought 4 from the LFS for my 125. Turns out there was already a mated pair (I assume they were already mated). They ruthlessly attacked the other 2 within the 1st week. I was able to rehome one, but they killed the other before I could get it out. They have been model citizens ever since. It's been about 2 years now and they don't spawn nearly as often as they used to.