The Banggai Cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni) is a peaceful, strikingly patterned marine species that’s ideal for beginners and advanced aquarists alike. It’s small, reef-safe, and has the added benefit of being one of the few saltwater fish that can be bred in captivity with some success.

🐟 Banggai Cardinalfish Description:

• Scientific Name: Pterapogon kauderni

• Common Names: Banggai Cardinal, Kaudern’s Cardinalfish

• Origin: Banggai Islands, Indonesia (wild); also aquacultured

• Size: Up to 3 inches (7.5 cm)

• Coloration: Silver body with bold black vertical stripes and white spots on the fins and tail

• Temperament: Peaceful, slow-swimming, social

• Lifespan: 4–6 years in captivity

🧪 Tank Requirements:

• Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons (larger for groups)

• Water Temperature: 72–78°F (22–26°C)

• pH Level: 8.1–8.4

• Specific Gravity: 1.020–1.025

• Water Hardness: 8–12 dKH

• Aquascape: Live rock with open swimming space and shaded areas; they tend to hover near structure

🍤 Diet:

• Carnivorous – Accepts a wide variety of meaty foods:

  • Frozen mysis shrimp and brine shrimp

  • Finely chopped seafood

  • Enriched marine flakes and pellets

  • Will graze on small crustaceans like copepods if available

Feed 2–3 times daily in small portions.

🤝 Compatibility:

• Reef Safe: Yes – totally safe with corals and most inverts

• Tankmates:

  • Great in peaceful community tanks

  • Can be kept singly, as a pair, or in groups (groups require a larger tank and should be introduced at the same time to prevent aggression)

  • Avoid aggressive species or fast, nippy fish

💡 Special Care Tips:

• Very low aggression – may be bullied by assertive tankmates

• Best sourced captive-bred (wild populations are endangered)

• Easy to breed – mouthbrooders, with males holding eggs in their mouths

• Don’t require sandbeds or special lighting

• Like moderate water flow, not strong currents

📝 Summary: