Threadfin Cardinal Question

[rng_pw]

I have a 450 gallon reef that I am looking to add some schooling fish too. What do you guys think of the threadfin cardinal fish? Does anyone have any personal experience and or pics of there group? How many should I add and do you have any other reccomendations for me? Thanks in advance

Ricky,

 

[Coralgasm]

1- a pair- or 6+, great fish, will establish a pecking order

 

[cherokee_dude]

IME, add twice as many as you want to end up with. I've done several group introductions and ~40% mortality rate for each batch of 15 since they do pick on ones they don't "accept" in the heirachy. They are beautiful schooling fish @ ~10 fish and have lots of personality. Every now and again, a few venture from the group and inspect other areas of the tank.

 

[ddiver]

IME, add twice as many as you want to end up with. I've done several group introductions and ~40% mortality rate for each batch of 15 since they do pick on ones they don't "accept" in the heirachy. They are beautiful schooling fish @ ~10 fish and have lots of personality. Every now and again, a few venture from the group and inspect other areas of the tank.

+1 i have 3 from 10 originally.added 10 more the other day and now 5 total...lol...i love them..

 

[JR's Reef]

I plan on adding a group to my tank also. There not bad priced if you buy 6+

 

[pnguy3n]

I started off with 12 and now I have 9. At first I introduced 7 and all were eating at the LFS. They were healthy and big then I decided to add 5 more, that's when it got a little crazy. I'm guessing the first 7 didn't like the introduction of the others. I say get them all at once and make sure they are eating of course. I feed mine PE mysis, prawn roe, all in all a variety of food. Neat fishes to watch, colors around the eye really pop. With the right about in your 450g it will look pretty neat.

 

[jaytizzle]

I started with 6 and am down to 4 and they split into two pairs. Sometimes they will come together but not very often. I definitely like them but if you want them then add a group of 20+. You will get better results if you go that route. Definitely one of my favorite fish after having been inspired by the Japanese tanks out there.

 

[ddiver]

i got them in a GB so it was not that expensive...my lfs' has them time to time but it can range from 15-25 bucks a fish..and that would get expensive if you want to maintain a big school of them..

 

[rng_pw]

Thanks for all of the info. I will put a little more thought into it and see where I end up. I might just add 20 of them and see what happens. One other question. What kind of environment do they like? I have a ton of flow in my tank. Will they be ok with that? I know that some cardinals like to have overhangs in which they can hang out under. How do your fare in your setups?

Ricky,

 

[Hogall]

I started out with 20; only have 5 left. (A pair and a Trio). IMO, they are very poor swimmer. I lose most of them within a couple week; they started to commit suicide one by one - swimming thru the powerhead.oh:

On the bright side; I do see the Male carrying frys in his mouth on a regular basis.

Dennis

 

[ddiver]

ok well all 10 i got a few days ago are all dead and i'm left with the original 3...lol what a waste of $100..i think they do the killing after the lights go out when cardinals are more active..

 

[joejoe1055]

sneak up on the others while they sleep

i have always liked them though

 

[rng_pw]

Yeah im still undecided. I really like bartlet anthias but I cant see the wife letting me spend 30-40 bucks per fish when I want to have a schoal of 20 plus fish.

Ricky,

 

[roscoe]

I was thinking about adding these guys to my 270g Dt also. I have 5 chalk basslets and they are always hanging out with each other.

 

[debees5]

I had 10 yesterday, 8 at about 10pm, 5 at 7:30 this morning, 4 at 9:30 this morning. I can’t find them anywhere! Looked in rear chamber, gyres, sump. They just vaporize! Frustrating.

 

[debees5]

.

 

[debees5]

Do they eat each other?