{"product_id":"banggai-cardinal-pterapogon-kaudernii-saltwater-reef","title":"Banggai Cardinal (Pterapogon kaudernii)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"background:#E0F7FA;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding:10px 14px;margin:0 0 14px;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIn-store pickup only.\u003c\/strong\u003e Your order is reserved, we hold off on bagging until you arrive so it stays healthy in its display tank.\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Banggai Cardinalfish (\u003cem\u003ePterapogon kaudernii\u003c\/em\u003e), also called Kaudern's Cardinal, is one of the most unique-looking fish in the saltwater hobby: a silvery body with three bold vertical black bars, white spotting across the fins, and dramatic long extensions on the dorsal, anal, and tail fins. They are peaceful, hardy, and slow-moving, which makes them an excellent reef-safe choice for a wide range of saltwater systems. Pair with our other \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/salt-water\"\u003esaltwater fish\u003c\/a\u003e in a calm community reef.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBanggais are mouthbrooders. The male holds fertilized eggs (and later hatched fry) inside his mouth for roughly 20 to 30 days, releasing fully formed juveniles. This is one of the few marine fish that breed reliably in captivity, and almost all Banggais sold today are captive-bred. Captive-bred fish are the ethical and sustainable choice: the wild population is endemic to the small Banggai Islands of Indonesia and is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eCare Guide\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTank size:\u003c\/strong\u003e 30 gallons minimum for a single or a pair, 55+ for a small group of three to five.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGroup size:\u003c\/strong\u003e Best as a confirmed pair or a small group with one obvious dominant pair. Random groups of three or four sometimes work but the dominant pair may push the others out.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDiet:\u003c\/strong\u003e Carnivore. Frozen mysis and brine, marine pellets, fine flakes, and live copepods. Two small feedings daily.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReef safe:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes with all corals and motile inverts. Ignores anemones; can be associated with Long-Spine Urchins in nature, which is fun but not required.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament:\u003c\/strong\u003e Peaceful with non-Banggai species. They hover almost motionless in the water column and rarely bother tank mates.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCaution with other Banggais:\u003c\/strong\u003e Unpaired Banggais in close quarters will pick at each other. Either buy a confirmed pair, or buy a single, or commit to a group of 5+ in a large enough system.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAcclimation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Slow drip 45 to 60 minutes. They settle in quickly and start eating within a day, but offer frozen food at first; some captive-bred individuals are slow to take dry pellets.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"width:100%;border-collapse:collapse;font-size:0.95em;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;width:38%;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003ePterapogon kaudernii\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon names\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eBanggai Cardinalfish, Kaudern's Cardinal\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eApogonidae\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare level\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eEasy\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperament\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePeaceful\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMax adult size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAbout 3 in (8 cm)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiet\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eCarnivore\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReef safe\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMin tank size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e30 gallons\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTemperature\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e72 to 78°F\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSalinity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e1.020 to 1.025 SG\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003epH\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e8.1 to 8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eBanggai Islands, Indonesia (captive-bred stock)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBreeding\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePaternal mouthbrooder\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePickup\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eIn-store pickup only\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eTank Mates \u0026amp; Compatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePairs well with most peaceful reef community species: clownfish, royal grammas, firefish, small wrasses, anthias, blennies, gobies, and tangs. Avoid notably aggressive tank mates such as dottybacks, large damsels, triggers, and groupers that out-compete a slow-moving cardinal at feeding time. Multiple unpaired Banggais in a small tank can pick at each other; keep one, a confirmed pair, or a larger group.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReef-safe with hard and soft corals, clams, snails, hermits, and adult cleaner shrimp. Banggais frequently shelter near Long-Spine Urchins in the wild — a fun pairing if you can keep one.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eRecommended Foods \u0026amp; Supplies\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-freeze-dried-mysis-shrimp\"\u003eSFBB Freeze-Dried Mysis\u003c\/a\u003e — classic meaty staple for cardinals.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/brs-premium-saltwater-fish-food-pellets-2oz\"\u003eBRS Premium Saltwater Pellets\u003c\/a\u003e — pellet rotation for daily nutrition.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/piscine-energetics-pe-pellets-saltwater-2mm-4oz\"\u003ePiscine Energetics PE Pellets 2 mm\u003c\/a\u003e — high-protein meaty pellet that brings out the silver shine.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/reef-nutrition-tigger-feast-live-tigriopus-copepods\"\u003eReef Nutrition Tigger Feast\u003c\/a\u003e — live copepods, especially helpful for newly added Banggais and recently released fry.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/salt-mixes\"\u003eSalt mixes\u003c\/a\u003e — keep parameters stable with a quality synthetic salt.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin:14px 0 4px;font-size:1.05em;font-weight:600;line-height:1.25;border-left:4px solid #006064;padding-left:8px;\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow do I tell male from female?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nVisually nearly identical. Mature males have a slightly larger, more pronounced jaw to accommodate brooding. The most reliable indicator is behavior: a male in active brooding holds a visibly full mouth and stops eating for around three weeks.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill they breed in my tank?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nOften, yes. A bonded pair in a peaceful tank may spawn every few weeks. The male broods the eggs and fry in his mouth for about 20 to 30 days, then releases tiny but fully formed juveniles. The fry are easy to raise on baby brine shrimp if you can capture them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCaptive-bred or wild-caught?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nAlways captive-bred when possible. Wild Banggai populations are limited to a small island chain and listed as Endangered. Our Banggais are sourced captive-bred whenever available.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I keep three?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\nThree is the awkward number — two pair up and the third gets pushed out. Buy one, a confirmed pair, or commit to five or more in a system 75+ gallons.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Squeaky's Aquatics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48113337008347,"sku":"2135056","price":29.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0767\/5209\/3403\/files\/Banggai_cardinalfish__Pterapogon_kauderni___43875107345.jpg?v=1767876540","url":"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/banggai-cardinal-pterapogon-kaudernii-saltwater-reef","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}