🖤 Bangaii Cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni)

The Bangaii Cardinalfish is a striking black and white fish with elegant elongated fins. Perfect for reef tanks, they're peaceful, captive-bred in large numbers, and have fascinating breeding behavior where males mouthbrood the eggs. Buy captive-bred to protect wild populations.

📋 Quick Facts

🌍 Conservation Note

Always buy captive-bred! Wild Bangaii populations are threatened due to overcollection. Captive-bred specimens are:

• Hardier and better adapted to aquariums
• Disease-free
• Ethically sourced
• Often the same price as wild

🏠 Tank Requirements

• Tank Size: 30 gallons minimum
• Flow: Low to moderate preferred
• Decor: Appreciates urchins or branching coral to shelter near

Water Parameters

🍽️ Diet & Feeding

Carnivores with slow, deliberate feeding style.

• Frozen mysis - Staple
• Frozen brine
• Quality pellets - Small, slow-sinking

Feed 2-3 times daily. They're slow feeders - ensure they get food.

👫 Social Behavior

• Can be kept singly, in pairs, or groups
• May squabble in small tanks
• Established pairs will breed readily
• Males mouthbrood eggs - fascinating behavior

🐟 Compatibility

• Excellent with clownfish, gobies, blennies
• Avoid aggressive tankmates
• Peaceful community fish ideal

💡 Tips for Success

• Buy captive-bred only
• Provide shelter (urchin, coral, or structure)
• Keep in pairs or odd numbers
• Target feed if kept with faster fish

📚 Summary

The Bangaii Cardinalfish is a beautiful, easy-to-keep species perfect for reef aquariums. Always buy captive-bred to support conservation. Their slow, deliberate nature and striking appearance make them a favorite, and breeding pairs offer fascinating mouthbrooding behavior to observe.