How many cardinal fish?

FishyFish · May 28, 2019

I've thought about this for months but I can't make up my mind between banggai and pajama cardinals. They're both so cute!!

I've been thinking about getting 3 pajamas and a bonded pair of banggai cardinals for my 75g tank. Would this work or would they end up fighting?

Current stock is 2 clowns a longnose hawk and a white tailed bristletooth tang. I plan on adding a wrasse or two, a pygmy perchlet, and a mandarin dragonet in the future as well. I want my tank to be heavily stocked but definitely not overstocked. What do you guys think?

Mastiffsrule · May 28, 2019

All of those seem like they should work. I would see possible aggression from the clowns and maybe the banggai.

I have 2 pajamas and I think they are on Valium they are so chill. They usually hang in the same spot so you will need some rock work or other area for them to stake out some territory. Mine never really move except when feeding.

FishyFish · May 28, 2019

Mastiffsrule said:
All of those seem like they should work. I would see possible aggression from the clowns and maybe the banggai.

I have 2 pajamas and I think they are on Valium they are so chill. They usually hang in the same spot so you will need some rock work or other area for them to stake out some territory. Mine never really move except when feeding.

Thanks! That's a good point actually, my clowns are jerks who like to float out in the open so they might actually compete with the banggai. Maybe I should finally get them an anemone.

Thanks for the input! I might just get both kinds of cardinal and avoid any pesky decision making.

Westside Guy · May 28, 2019

I am about to add at least one Pajama and one Banggai to my Reefer 250 which currently has 2 Gladiators, a Canary Blenny and a Electric Indigo Dottyback. The larger of the Gladiators is a food hog but aside from that they all coexist. I think the Cardinals will be a nice addition to my tank.

LesPoissons · May 28, 2019

I have all of those in my tank, except the hawk and the wrasses. No problems.

Silverfish · May 28, 2019

The Banggai will tend to pair up. Usually the larger of the two in a group of three. Unfortunately, the third will be picked on and stressed to non existence. So, 4 I believe is better then 3. However in larger groups they tend to live more peacefully, similar to chromis’.

Westside Guy · May 28, 2019

I was told that the Banggai and the Pajamas will get along and swim in a school together.

Salty Lemon · May 28, 2019

Juvenile Pajamas are some of my favorites. But after a few years they will lose quite a bit of color. Banggai do too, but their stripes are still very distinct. Just something to think about.

Westside Guy · May 28, 2019

Salty Lemon said:
Juvenile Pajamas are some of my favorites. But after a few years they will lose quite a bit of color. Banggai do too, but their stripes are still very distinct. Just something to think about.

Sounds like my salt and pepper hair color which lately is more salt.

mattzang · May 28, 2019

Westside Guy said:
I was told that the Banggai and the Pajamas will get along and swim in a school together.

pajamas will go together, banggais will pair off and likely kill the other banggais

Taxus812 · May 29, 2019

I had three PJ's , two clowns and six molly. The PJ paired up and attacked the odd man out (moved him to another thank). Other than that I have a pretty happy tank.

Jesterrace · May 29, 2019

Salty Lemon said:
Juvenile Pajamas are some of my favorites. But after a few years they will lose quite a bit of color. Banggai do too, but their stripes are still very distinct. Just something to think about.

Yup, here is what a PJ looks like when it gets big and ugly: