Banggai Cardinal - Pterapogon kauderni
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The Banggai Cardinal (Pterapogon kauderni) is a striking and iconic reef fish known for its bold black bars, silver body, and elegant elongated fins. Calm, hardy, and visually captivating, it makes an excellent addition to peaceful reef aquariums and is especially prized because of its unique mouthbrooding behavior.
Common Name: Banggai Cardinal
Scientific Name: Pterapogon kauderni
Family: Apogonidae
Size: Up to 3 inches (7.5 cm)
Temperament: Peaceful
Difficulty: Easy
Reef Safe: Yes
Native Region: Found in the Banggai Archipelago of Indonesia, typically inhabiting seagrass beds, anemones, branching corals, and shallow protected reefs.
Tank Size: Minimum of 20 gallons
Temperature: 74–80°F (23–27°C)
pH: 8.0–8.4
Salinity: 1.023–1.025
Substrate: Live rock with caves, branching structures, and shaded areas; low to moderate flow is ideal.
• Schooling: Best kept singly or in bonded pairs; groups often fight in captivity.
• Diet: Carnivorous—accepts frozen mysis, brine, chopped seafood, and high-quality micro pellets.
• Behavior: Calm, slow-moving fish that hovers gracefully in the water column.
• Tankmates: Ideal for peaceful reef tanks and safe with corals and most inverts.