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Emperor Cardinal

Emperor Cardinal

The Emperor Cardinal, also known as the Banggai Cardinalfish, is definitely connotes a flamboyant appearance. Its body is silver and covered in white dots, whilst also having black vertical stripes from fin to fin. Similar to the clownfish, this fish has been actively bred very successfully in the home aquarium. 

Requirements
This unique fish is not very active  and you can get away with homing it in a 40 litre tank size or more. It is a slow and patient swimmer and therefore should not be kept with the more aggressive classed fish. However, it has been known to have a aggressive behaviour towards the same species if kept in larger groups, the most they should be kept at is maybe 3-4 in order to eradicate this issue. 

Suggestions
These fish are relatively easy to breed in the home aquarium when housed in the correct conditions. During this process the male will carry the eggs in its mouth to protect them once the female as spawned. This can be an amazing process to witness. 

Feeding
The Emperor Cardinal must be offered a variety of meaty foods, such as brine and mysis shrimp, but also thrives on pellets and flakes.

STATISTICS
Minimum Tank Size: 40 Litres
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 3"
Colour Form: Black, White
Diet: Carnivore
Family: Apogonidae
 
 

Find out where you can buy a Emperor Cardinal near you

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Easy to Care For
4
Easy to Feed
4
Peaceful with Others
3
Reef Safe
3
Invertebrate Safe
3
Average
 yasr-loader

  1. This is a nice peaceful little fish. I have a pair and I’m thinking of getting more. When I first added them to the tank, one wedged itself between the glass and a rock and I had to free it, but it recovered. They get along very well with my clownfish and have not bothered my shrimp at all that I can tell. They eat mysis and cyclops, but appreciate live brine shrimp as a treat.

  2. Wonderful active fish. Mine were eating straight out of the bag. I ordered 3 and all made it but 2 have paired up and left the third out of the group but the third has plenty of room so no fighting has happened. Highly recommend these for anyone.

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