Banggai Cardinalfish And Some Other Fish... Stocking Questions

[n3ont3tra]

Do they do well in groups/. I'm getting a corner tank, somewhere between 40 and 60g (undecided as of yet) and I was really interested in getting a Long spined sea urchin with some banggai cardinalfish. So I think I could have about 8-10 cardinalfish, would they be alright in groups like that? Also, if I get a tank closer to 60g, I'll probably get a pair of clownfish and a goby of some kind. Just wondering, would that be okay?

 

[SkiFletch]

I know they can be kept in smaller groups so I dont see why not for a large group like that but I'm not completely sure...

 

[n3ont3tra]

Due to its aggressive behavior towards conspecifics, it should not be kept in large groups.

That's from liveaquaria. I don't really understand, though, wouldn't it be something like a freshwater cichlid tank? If you have more fish, then there is less of a chance that fish will encounter the same fish as often. That spreads the aggression between fish. So wouldn't having a larger group be better? It doesn't make sense.

 

[N1z]

I can answer that, in the cichlid keeping areas, the reason they say the more fish in the tank the less territories space there is to fight over so they become more peaceful. And as you said they wont pick on the same fish meaning all of the fish wont become weak and be bullied as much.

I do know though that if you are to shoal marine fish its better to keep them in odd numbers cant remember exactly why but its less aggression or summit.

 

[n3ont3tra]

I think it has something to do with them pairing up. Maybe. So I would get 9. But that's still kind of large.... grr.

 

[Mr.September15]

They dont do well in pairs,They do better in 3's so i've heard. But Mine are in pairs and when I thought they were being agressive it seems they were just mating and now the mommas pregnant.

 

[steelhealr]

There is never any guarantee and you can't equate marine with FW or cichlid. Life on the reef is a battle for survival. SOME groups of banggai's can do OK.....I wouldn't guarantee that many to be safe together. They would have to be added together at the same time. SH

 

[n3ont3tra]

That's a lot to add at one time, I think... Could I add them in pairs, like if I found a lfs that sold them by pairs would that be okay?

 

[Mr Miagi]

They would have to be added together at the same time. SH

Exactly.

That's a lot to add at one time, I think... Could I add them in pairs, like if I found a lfs that sold them by pairs would that be okay?

No. This would encourage fighting between pairs for territory. If its not a money issue, its not too much of a bioload to add at the same time if the tank is cycled. If its a money issue, just save for a group, and try and get a deal on the group purchase, im sure the LFS would take some money off for a purchase of that many.

BTW, I think the statements made about odd numbers is an example for exact pairs. IE. its better to get 3 rather than 2 when it comes to species such as Cardinals.

 

[n3ont3tra]

Grr... now I have to decide again. I know banggais aren't the most active fish, so I was thinking of looking for something a little more active to go with it. I've settled on clownfish, the black ones with white stripes, they are called saddlebacks, I think. So could I have a pair of them and a pair of banggais and maybe a school of 3 green chromis? Could I also add citrinis clown goby to that? I know this is getting a little off topic of just banggai cardinalfish, so I'm editing the topic title.

 

[n3ont3tra]

Some opinions, please?

 

[tmreynolds]

Some opinions, please?

As Mr Miagi said, its better to get 3 cardinals than 2.

The others sound fine. Try the compatibility list on liveaquaria to be sure.

 

[n3ont3tra]

Okay, thank you.