[rmkj]

I know a few people on the board have mentioned that their Banggai Cardinals have successfully bred.
Either last night or during the day while I was at work the male released the babies he was holding.
I can’t find any in the tank, so I assume they were eaten.

My question is when do they usually release the babies, during the night or during the day?

I don’t want, or think I could, net the male and put him in the fuge until he releases them.
So I would like to give the babies a chance by netting them when they are released.
Any help or information will be appreciated.

Thanks

Rick

 

[mardemp]

Rick,
You might want to check with Frank Marini at Reef Central. He moderates the forum on fish breeding. He was the first to breed Bangai Cardnals in captivity so he could probably give you the information you need. Good luck!
Marie

 

[mameloot]

Was reading about cardinals last weekend, and it mentioned that the males always drop the fry at night.

mame

 

[locdawgmsu]

Yes, they do release at night. I've had a pair that bred a half dozen times or so until I had some equipment problems and lost them. I was able to raise up a handful of the young as well.
Best bet is to note when he starts holding( stops eating), and anywhere from 14-20 days later he will drop the young.

I talked to Dr. Marini at a conference and he said best bet is to catch the male about an hour or two after the lights have gone out, so he'll be asleep. Put him in your fuge or quarintine tank, and then remove him once he drops.

good luck

 

[cherrycorals]

Bangaii

My male lets a few go all day long, with a final push before the lights go out.

He goes 22-25 days before he releases. Pull your male at 20-22 days and put him in a tank with an eggcrate divider. The babies, when released will school on the other side. Eggcrate is really flourescent light diffuser, they sell it at Home Depot.

I would also suggest that you only use a net to confine the male and then use a specimen cup to actually remove him.

I just experienced my largest brood ever at 51 banggers. I will try and post a pic.

 

[rmkj]

Update

Well I did find and catch 2 babies last night and put them in the fuge. We will see how it goes and I downloaded some info to read through and maybe be a little more prepared for next time.

Detroiter

This is the pair that I bought from you.
This is the 3rd time they have carried eggs, but the 1st to go full term.
I think that they are just now mature enough to last the whole time.

I talked to Dr. Marini at a conference and he said best bet is to catch the male about an hour or two after the lights have gone out, so he'll be asleep.

Mine are up most of the night swimming around the tank.

 

[cherrycorals]

sleeping

They wander around aimlessly at night and can be caught pretty easily. I use a flashlight.

Get some bbs for the first couple of weeks and then switch to cycopeez and prawn eggs(buy at the trop).

Your babies in the fuge will probably make it on microfauna alone. I would supplement with bbs to be sure.

Good Luck!! I am glad they are producing.

 

[rmkj]

Here is a picture of one of the babies after 5 days.
It took me over an hour to catch the little guy to move him back to the fuge section.
It was swimming in the section that holds my return pump.
Not the best place for a baby fish to be.

Rick

 

[DLBerlin]

Aww
Its so tiny!

 

[Sylock]

Detroiter,
Do you sell them too?

rmkj,
Nice job. I am thinking of getting a pair if for no other reason then to 'feed' my tank.

 

[caribbeanguy]

I also wanted to get a pair but it is so hard to tell the sex differences, Is there a place where you can get a known pair ( male + Female) Thanks

 

[cherrycorals]

bangaii for sale

I usually sell them to my local lfs but if you wanted a few(or 51) I would be happy to let them go. $10 each.

You will have to give them another month because they are just off bbs and I am weaning them to prawn eggs. Once they are eating small mysis I will feel good about selling them.

If you go to reefcentral check out cherryproperty's gallery, you can see all 51 of the bangers on the second day.

Thanks,

Todd

 

[caribbeanguy]

I would be intrested, can you tell the sexes? I would love to get a male and female, I can wait a month no problem just LMK.

 

[ystmarroon]

Todd,
It's Bill (I know Matt Holmes and used to work at Trop.), I'm interested in those Banggai too. Let me know when they are ready.

 

[Sylock]

Sign me up for two. They change sex like clownfish right? So if we got two juvies then one would turn male and the other female right?

 

[cherrycorals]

Babies

I am not very good at telling the sexes. They don't change sexes, you just have to pick up several and hope for the best. My current pair came out of a trio.

They don't change sexes. But I will put you down for a couple. Best to buy a few though.

I actually sold a proven pair not to long ago. They were only about a 1 1/4" but they were breeding, just not holding the 22 days. I guess now they are. They came out of a trio as well.

3 is the key I guess, that is the best misinformation I can give.

I will post when they are big enough, although some did the impossible today and ate Hikari mysis(tend to be a little smaller) so some could go sooner than others.

Whats up Bill, talk to you soon.

Todd

 

[rmkj]

From what I can tell the male has a squared off jaw that is wider.
Where the female has more of a rounded jaw.
I have often heard that the male has a longer front fin, like the mandarins.
I can say that my female's is longer then the male's,
so I would throw that idea out the window.
Or my male must have a severe case of fin envy.

Rick

 

[ystmarroon]

Males have a more pronounced hook in their caudial fin. Females are more strait. The jaw thing is also true but only in larger adults. It's hard to tell with juveniles or sub adults.

 

[Tide2Water]

Trio.

Will yuo be attending the swap on the 23rd if so and if they'll be ready by then I'd be interested in a trio.

Tide

 

[caribbeanguy]

Thanks I will take a trio as well just LMK when you think they are ready.