Data Sheet: Pterapogon Kauderni “Banggai Cardinalfish”

SCHEDA TECNICA

Scientific name: Pterapogon Kauderni

Common name: Banggai cardinalfish

Taxonomic Classification

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Actinopterygii

Order: Perciformes

Suborder: Percoidei

Family: Apogonidae

Genus: Pterapogon

Species: Kauderni

Description: Pterapogon Kauderni has an ovaloid body with a long caudal peduncle, has two dorsal fins, one smaller and the other more developed. The male compared to the female has a more squared jaw and three small spines in the anal region, long forked tail. Very large eyes and mouthparts pointing upwards.

Coloring: They have a gray-silver livery with three black bands edged with white points that run through the body. The pectoral fins have a grayish color.

Behaviour: Fish very peaceful and not at all territorial towards other fishes while after the formation of the couple become very aggressive towards their conspecifics. The cardinal fish of Banggai mostly has a crepuscular style of life, but also during the day it can be found among the corals and can be approached very quickly during meals.

Sexual Dimorphism: The male has a larger and squared jaw respect to the female due to the oral incubation of the eggs and three small spines in the anal region, which in the female are two.

Habitat: It does not live in coral reefs but prefers seagrass meadows with calm waters and it can be found from about 2 to 50 specimens, very often it can be observed among the long spines of the sea urchins of the genus Diadema Setosum.

Chemistry of the water

Temperature: 24-28°C pH: 8.2-8.5 Water hardness: 9-12°dH

Tips for breeding: We recommend purchasing only specimens reproduced in captivity !!!!
For the breeding we recommend a bath with not too lively guests and with many hiding places. Avoid insertion in tanks with Ribbon Moray.

Feed: In nature the cardinal fish feeds on small crustaceans. In the aquarium they feed on live or frozen Mysis, live or frozen adult brine shrimp, minced fish and lobster eggs with the time it also accepts dry foods.

Diffusion: Central-western Pacific Ocean, between Sulawesi and Moluccas, near the Banggai islands and Indonesia.

Swimming Level: Average

Difficulty: Easy
Reproduction: The reproduction in the aquarium is possible, the female after the mating dance lays the eggs that the male immediately takes in the mouth holding them incubated for about 35 days until the young have not reached a size of 8mm, then the male spits the fry between the prickles of a Diadema Setosum to protect them from predatory raids of other fish.

Extinction risk: at risk of extinction