Banggai Cardinalfish - Pterapogon Kauderni

Banggai Cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni)

The Banggai Cardinalfish is a distinctive and highly popular marine fish recognised for its silver body, bold black vertical bands and elongated fins decorated with contrasting white spots. Calm, graceful and reef safe, it is well suited to established marine and reef aquariums with peaceful tankmates. Its unusual appearance and relatively deliberate swimming style make it an excellent display species.

Common Name:
Banggai Cardinalfish, Banggai Cardinal

Scientific Name (Latin):
Pterapogon kauderni

Maximum Size:
Approximately 7–8 cm

Water Type:
Marine

Origin / Natural Habitat:
The Banggai Cardinalfish originates from the Banggai Islands of Indonesia, where it inhabits shallow coastal reef environments, seagrass areas and sheltered habitats containing coral, rockwork and other structures.

It commonly remains close to shelter and may gather around branching corals, sea urchins and other protective structures.

Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–26°C
pH Range: 8.1–8.4
Salinity: SG 1.024–1.026
Nitrate: Low and stable
Ammonia/Nitrite: 0 ppm

Temperament:
Peaceful to Semi-Aggressive

The Banggai Cardinalfish is generally peaceful towards unrelated marine fish.

Individuals may become territorial towards their own species, particularly once pairs form, so group dynamics should be monitored carefully in smaller aquariums.

Diet:
Carnivore / Planktivore

The Banggai Cardinalfish naturally feeds on small crustaceans and planktonic organisms.

In the aquarium, offer a varied diet including frozen mysis, enriched brine shrimp, copepods, finely chopped marine foods and quality small marine pellets.

Several small meals throughout the day are beneficial.

Minimum Tank Size:
Approximately 100 litres

A larger aquarium is recommended when keeping multiple individuals or maintaining them as part of a larger marine community.

Behaviour & Activity:
The Banggai Cardinalfish is a relatively slow and deliberate swimmer that usually remains in the middle areas of the aquarium close to rockwork or other shelter.

It is often active throughout the day but may become particularly noticeable during quieter periods and around feeding time.

Pairs may establish territories and remain closely associated with one another.

Reef Safe:
Reef Safe

The Banggai Cardinalfish is generally considered reef safe and does not normally damage healthy corals, clams or established ornamental invertebrates.

Its peaceful nature makes it particularly suitable for mixed reef aquariums.

Special Requirements or Care Notes:
Provide a mature marine aquarium with stable water chemistry, good filtration and plenty of secure rockwork.

Peaceful tankmates are preferable, as aggressive species may intimidate Banggai Cardinalfish or prevent them from feeding successfully.

When keeping multiple individuals, monitor aggression carefully because established pairs may become territorial towards other Banggai Cardinalfish.

Regular varied feeding helps maintain strong body condition and healthy finnage.

Captive-bred specimens are an excellent choice where available and often adapt readily to aquarium life and prepared foods.

Suitable for:
Beginner to Intermediate

Availability:
Regularly available

All images are a visual representation of the fish you will receive, made to be as accurate as possible. Please note that Mother Nature is a wonderful thing, and variation in patterns and colours will occur — that is part of the unique beauty of these animals.