Benngai Cardinal’s.. Fighting?

[borrowedthemoon]

Hey coral friends,

I have a fluval 13.5, and my first round of clownfish did not work out, as my tank wasn’t ready for them yet. Beginners mistake!

Second round of fish, 2 Benggai Cardinal fish. The one that is larger than the other one seems to pick on the other one, at times. It will tend to occupy the other’s territory, and at times seem to push it out of certain spaces. Often they will be on opposite sides of the tank from each other.

I am not sure if one is female or both are males, I tried looking for the bumps on their lower side to determine sex, but don’t know what I’m looking for, I guess, OR they both have no bumps. Idk which..

I like them both and want to keep both, I just feel bad sometimes for the smaller one! Perhaps I am overreacting? At times they huddle together i.e during tank cleanings and at times put up with each other (i.e they don’t fight ALL the time).

Thanks for the advice!

 

[Crustaceon]

They just seem to be one of those "Highlander" fish where "there can only be one" in some tanks.

 

[nereefpat]

If they happen to be a m/f pair, it will work out. If they happen not to be, they won't coexist as they mature.