Need help finding male banggai

[Avelino Alicea]

I was wondering if anyone could help me find the easiest way, or any way for that matter to find a male banggai to replace the one that I lost. The female is currently all alone and I want to get her a new partner. None of my local stores have any available at the moment.

 

[Peace River]

Avelino - I am sorry for you loss of the cardinal fish. A few quick comments - please do your research and make sure that you can tell the difference between a male and female banggai (I'm assuming you do, but I thought it was worth mentioning). Also know that the Banggai are sometimes listed under the name Kaudern Cardinal or Longfin Cardinalfish, but they are all referring to the Pteragon kauderni. I would reach out to some of the online fish vendors, such as liveaquaria.com, that can be found in the R2R sponsor section to see if they can sell you a male (it doesn't hurt to ask). Good luck!

 

[CNDReef]

If you do a search you’ll find the correct answer but i believe it’s underneath the pectoral fin. If you fatten them up with food for a couple days you’ll see 1 triangle for males I believe and 2 triangles for females near the pectoral fin. Try with yours and see what you get then try to find the opposite. Hope that helps a bit.

 

[Peace River]

If you do a search you’ll find the correct answer but i believe it’s underneath the pectoral fin. If you fatten them up with food for a couple days you’ll see 1 triangle for males I believe and 2 triangles for females near the pectoral fin. Try with yours and see what you get then try to find the opposite. Hope that helps a bit.

For sexing Banggai cardinalfish you can look at the jawline, look at the second dorsal, look for one or two vents, or use behavioral cues (two males will fight when first placed in the same tank).

 

[Avelino Alicea]

Thanks guys. I learned how to sex them out a while back. That's why I know I need a male one. The female is currently full of eggs waiting for a new partner to do their ritual and exchange eggs. I already reached out to liveaquaria and they couldn't guarantee being able to me a male banggai. Thanks for the feedback though. I guess I'll just have to continue reaching out to see if I can eventually get another male.