Banggai Cardinal Tank Bred

Tank Bred Banggai Cardinals, Pterapogon kauderni, also go by the name Emperor Cardinal. They are small and distinctive fish that are popular in the aquarium trade, thanks to its relatively peaceful nature and use as a schooling fish. These fish have a unique appearance, with black and white vertical stripes running down their body and a long, trailing dorsal fin. They have large eyes and a pointed snout, giving them a striking and almost cartoonish appearance.

Tank Bred Banggai Cardinals, Pterapogon kauderni, Ecology.

These fish have been tank bred. In the wild they are native to Indonesia. Banggai Cardinals live in shallow coral reefs and lagoons, often inhabiting areas with plenty of hiding spots like rocks, coral formations, and sea grass beds. They prefer calm waters and often swim in schools.

These fish are mouthbrooders. When breeding, males and females form distinct pairs. The female guards the male while he holds the eggs in his mouth. During which time, he will not be able to feed.

Banggai Cardinals are unusual for a fish due to the amount of parental care they give to their offspring. Many fish do not invest any time in their eggs, once released. They produce a lot of offspring but with a high mortality rate. Cardinals however, produce small broods which have a higher survival rate thanks to their investment.

Emperor Cardinal In the Aquarium.

It is important to have plenty of nooks or crannies where your Tank Bred Banggai Cardinals can explore and feel at home.

These fish are mostly carnivores and do best when fed an enriched and varied diet. They will accept frozen mysis, brineshrimp and sometimes krill depending on the size. We enrich all our frozen food with garlic and vitamins. These are great for keeping fish healthy by providing them with the nutrition otherwise lost in frozen food. In doing so, these additives support their immune system and increase longevity.

Alternatively, Tank Bred Banggai Cardinals will also eat live foods, such as copepods, that can be cultivated in an attached refugium. Over time and with some persistence, it may also be possible to get these fish to accept high-quality pellet or flake.

We adapt all our Cardinals to aquarium life before they leave us. We focus on their health. Most are eating a good quality enriched frozen food before being offered for sale.