{"product_id":"banggai-cardinalfish-pterapogon-kauderni-saltwater","title":"Banggai Cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni)","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"font-family:Georgia,serif;color:#1a1a1a;max-width:860px;line-height:1.7;\"\u003e\n\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 \u003cstrong\u003eBanggai Cardinalfish\u003c\/strong\u003e (\u003cem\u003ePterapogon kauderni\u003c\/em\u003e) looks like it was designed rather than evolved. A silver body carries three bold black bars, the fins trail into long dramatic points, and the whole thing is dusted with bright white spots that catch the light as it hovers. It moves slowly and deliberately, almost hanging in place, which makes it one of the most watchable fish in a reef tank. Peaceful, hardy, reef safe, and a genuinely good beginner fish once you understand one thing about how they treat each other. Browse the rest of our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/collections\/salt-water\"\u003esaltwater livestock and supplies\u003c\/a\u003e to build the tank around it.\u003c\/p\u003e\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;\"\u003eBuy captive bred, and here is why\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis species comes from one place on earth: the Banggai Archipelago in Indonesia, a natural range small enough to drive across. Decades of collection for the aquarium trade hit wild populations hard, and in February 2016 NOAA listed the Banggai Cardinalfish as \u003cstrong\u003eThreatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act\u003c\/strong\u003e. The good news is that this is one of the easiest marine fish to breed in captivity, so tank bred stock is widely available, better adapted to aquarium life, and takes zero pressure off a fragile wild population. If you are choosing between a wild caught and a captive bred Banggai, it is not a close call.\u003c\/p\u003e\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 for one or a pair. Go bigger if you want a group, since the group needs to be large enough to spread aggression around.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHow many, and this is the important part:\u003c\/strong\u003e keep one, keep a bonded pair, or keep six or more in a large tank. What fails is the middle. Three or four Banggai in a normal display will sort themselves into a dominant fish and a victim, and the smallest one gets bullied until it dies. This is the single most common way people lose them.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater parameters:\u003c\/strong\u003e 72 to 78°F, pH 8.1 to 8.4, salinity 1.020 to 1.025. Hardy once settled and eating.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFeeding:\u003c\/strong\u003e carnivore. They are slow, deliberate feeders that will not fight a tang for a mouthful, so target feed if you keep pushy tank mates. \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/piscine-energetics-pe-mysis\"\u003ePE Mysis\u003c\/a\u003e and frozen brine are readily taken, and most captive bred fish accept a small pellet like \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-marine-s\"\u003eHikari Marine-S\u003c\/a\u003e too.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eShelter:\u003c\/strong\u003e in the wild, juveniles hide among the spines of long-spined urchins and in anemones. A \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/purple-pincushion-urchin-salmacis-saltwater\"\u003ePurple Pincushion Urchin\u003c\/a\u003e or a bubble tip like our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/snowflake-bulb-anemone-entacmaea-quadricolor-saltwater\"\u003eSnowflake Bulb Anemone\u003c\/a\u003e gives them the same security in a display, though branching rock works fine.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlow:\u003c\/strong\u003e moderate at most. These are hoverers, not swimmers, and heavy flow just pushes them around.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLid:\u003c\/strong\u003e recommended, as with any reef fish.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\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=\"border-collapse:collapse;width:100%;max-width:640px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eScientific name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003ePterapogon kauderni\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, Banggai Cardinal, 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, the cardinalfishes\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;\"\u003eBeginner\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 toward other species, territorial with its own kind\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, fully\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMax size\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eAbout 3 inches\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMinimum tank\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\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\u003eSalinity\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e1.020 to 1.025\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\u003eBreeding\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003ePaternal mouthbrooder, no larval stage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConservation\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"border:1px solid #B2EBF2;padding:6px 10px;\"\u003eESA Threatened since 2016. Endemic to the Banggai Archipelago, Indonesia\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 at Squeaky's Aquatics\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\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;\"\u003eCompatibility\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeaceful with everything that is not another Banggai, and completely reef safe with corals and inverts including the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/scarlet-skunk-cleaner-shrimp-lysmata-amboinensis-saltwater\"\u003eScarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp\u003c\/a\u003e. Excellent alongside the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/premium-picasso-clownfish-amphiprion-percula-saltwater\"\u003ePremium Picasso Clownfish\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/black-ice-longfin-clownfish-amphiprion-ocellaris-saltwater\"\u003eBlack Ice Longfin Clownfish\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/royal-gramma-gramma-loreto-saltwater\"\u003eRoyal Gramma\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/blue-green-chromis-chromis-viridis-saltwater\"\u003eBlue Green Chromis\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/firefish-goby-nemateleotris-magnifica-saltwater\"\u003eFirefish Goby\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/bluestripe-neon-goby-elacatinus-oceanops-saltwater\"\u003eBluestripe Neon Goby\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/bicolor-blenny-ecsenius-bicolor-saltwater\"\u003eBicolor Blenny\u003c\/a\u003e, and the \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/engineer-goby-pholidichthys-leucotaenia-saltwater\"\u003eEngineer Goby\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat to watch.\u003c\/strong\u003e Because they feed slowly and hover rather than dart, fast aggressive eaters can quietly starve them out over weeks. It is rarely obvious until the fish is thin. If your tank has pushy feeders, drop food near the Banggai directly rather than trusting it to compete.\u003c\/p\u003e\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\/piscine-energetics-pe-mysis\"\u003ePiscine Energetics PE Mysis\u003c\/a\u003e, the staple\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/sfbb-mysis-shrimp-cube-3-5oz\"\u003eSFBB Mysis Shrimp Cube\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/ocean-nutrition-frozen-brine-shrimp-plus\"\u003eOcean Nutrition Frozen Brine Shrimp Plus\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/hikari-marine-s\"\u003eHikari Marine-S\u003c\/a\u003e small pellet\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/squeakysaquatics.com\/products\/xtreme-marine-peewee-1-5mm-slow-sinking-pellet\"\u003eXtreme Marine PeeWee Slow-Sinking Pellets\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\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 many should I get?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eOne, two as a bonded pair, or six or more in a big tank. Never three or four. In small groups they establish a pecking order and the bottom fish gets harassed relentlessly. This is the number one reason Banggai keeping goes wrong, and it is entirely avoidable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it true the males carry the eggs in their mouths?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, and it is one of the best stories in the hobby. The male takes the fertilized eggs into his mouth and broods them for roughly three weeks without eating. There is no free swimming larval stage at all, so what he eventually spits out are tiny, fully formed Banggai Cardinalfish. That quirk is exactly why the species is so straightforward to breed in captivity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy does it just hover in one place?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThat is normal and it is the charm of the species. Banggai are slow, deliberate hoverers rather than active swimmers. A fish parked in the same corner of the tank is behaving exactly as it should.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it legal to buy one?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. The ESA Threatened listing recognizes the pressure on wild populations, but it has not banned trade in the species. Choosing tank bred fish is the meaningful thing you can do, and it is also the better buy since they are already eating prepared food.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\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-cardinalfish-pterapogon-kauderni-saltwater","provider":"Squeaky's Aquatics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}