Banggai cardinalfish

Pterapogon kauderni

Banggai cardinalfish
10/11
AJN771 @AJN771

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Suggested Tank

30+ gallons

Max Size

3 inches

Difficulty

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Description

The Banggai cardinalfish is a striking saltwater fish with a silver body marked by bold black vertical bands and white spots, along with long elegant fins. It is a slow-swimming species popular in marine aquariums and is well known for its calm nature and unique appearance.

Reef Safe

Yes

Environment

Requires stable marine water conditions with temperatures around 72-82 F, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.020-1.025, moderate water flow, and plenty of hiding places among rockwork or long-spined decor.

Behavior

Generally calm and slow-moving, often hovering in place. Can be kept singly or as a bonded pair, but may become territorial or aggressive toward other Banggai cardinalfish in smaller tanks.

Information might not be complete or accurate. Help the community by suggesting corrections.

Owner Reviews

jan

Jan

@jan

10 months ago
Overall Rating:
Would Buy Again: 👍 Yes
What You Feed: Frozen krill

Easy to keep, very peaceful

Reef Safe: Yes
Visibility: Moderate Visibility
Temperament: Peaceful
Difficulty: Easy
Min Tank Size: 26 Gallons
Benny

Ben

@Benny

1 year ago
Overall Rating:
Would Buy Again: 👍 Yes
What You Feed: Brine shrimp, mysis shrimp

I absolutely love the colors on this fish, the way they swim and school. Very incognito, won’t bother any other fish. One of my favorite fish.

Reef Safe: Yes
Visibility: Always Visible
Temperament: Peaceful
Difficulty: Easy
Min Tank Size: 15 Gallons
Overall Rating:
Would Buy Again: 👍 Yes
What You Feed: Mysis Shrimp

A little boring, not personally my favorite. Definitely a decent fish for a beginner!

Reef Safe: Yes
Visibility: Moderate Visibility
Temperament: Peaceful
Difficulty: Easy
Min Tank Size: 20 Gallons
Overall Rating:
Would Buy Again: 👍 Yes

Mine hides behind the lip of the filter during the day

Reef Safe: Yes
Visibility: Hides Frequently
Temperament: Peaceful
Difficulty: Easy
Min Tank Size: 30 Gallons
Babado

Jared

@Babado

1 year ago
Overall Rating:
Would Buy Again: 👍 Yes
What You Feed: Frozen, flake and pellet

Love these fish! Great mid tank action and movement. They are mouth brooders and have had babies from them in my tank!

Reef Safe: Yes
Visibility: Always Visible
Temperament: Peaceful
Difficulty: Easy
Min Tank Size: 30 Gallons
Overall Rating:
Would Buy Again: 👍 Yes
What You Feed: Frozen and pellets

This fish is a must have staple, very easy to care but from experience seems to mostly eat frozen food and nips a little at flakes very nice colors just chills in the tank and is a model citizen.

Reef Safe: Yes
Visibility: Always Visible
Temperament: Peaceful
Difficulty: Easy
Min Tank Size: 20 Gallons
Overall Rating:
Would Buy Again: 👍 Yes
What You Feed: Frozen Brine Shrimp

Very cute and peaceful fish. They occupy the top half of the tank usually which a lot of fish don’t.

Reef Safe: Yes
Visibility: Always Visible
Temperament: Peaceful
Difficulty: Easy
Min Tank Size: 30 Gallons
Overall Rating:
Would Buy Again: 👍 Yes
What You Feed: Frozen mysis and brine

One of the quintessential reef fish . They do like to hover in a lower flow area but come out aggressively for feeding time.

Reef Safe: Yes
Visibility: Always Visible
Temperament: Peaceful
Difficulty: Easy
Min Tank Size: 30 Gallons
Overall Rating:
Would Buy Again: 👍 Yes
What You Feed: Mixed frozen

Ours mostly hid but they’re super peaceful and add a unique element to the tank with how they swim.

Reef Safe: Yes
Visibility: Hides Frequently
Temperament: Peaceful
Difficulty: Easy
Min Tank Size: 20 Gallons
Qwarex

Qwarex

@Qwarex

1 year ago
Overall Rating:
Would Buy Again: 👍 Yes
What You Feed: Only eats frozen (mysis)

This fish is a must have fish, some call it boring but i find it very unique shaped and the pattern is angelic, they dont swim much, they like to hover in one spot most of the time. They are quite shy and you should keep them in pairs. I find it to be a peace keeper, always put my royal gramma in its place whenever it was aggressive to smaller fish.

Reef Safe: Yes
Visibility: Moderate Visibility
Temperament: Peaceful
Difficulty: Easy
Min Tank Size: 26 Gallons

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Banggai cardinalfish

Pterapogon kauderni

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