How big does Banggai Cardinalfish get?

Banggai Cardinalfish reaches an adult standard length of 6–8 cm (excluding the caudal fin). Size the tank for that, not for the juvenile you bring home — the difference is often several times over, and upgrading later costs more than buying once.

What water does Banggai Cardinalfish need?

24–27 °C, pH 8.1–8.4, 7–12 dGH, 7–9 dKH, specific gravity 1.023–1.026. That is only 3 °C wide, so stability matters more than hitting a particular number.

What is the smallest tank for Banggai Cardinalfish?

At least 100 L, and no shorter than 80 cm. That is the floor for long-term keeping, not for short-term survival: volume buys water stability and length buys swimming room, and neither substitutes for the other. It is not a schooling fish, so a single specimen or a pair is fine.

What is Banggai Cardinalfish like to keep?

Temperament: semi-aggressive. Difficulty: moderate. It occupies the middle and is carnivore. Reef safety is "Reef safe".

Can Banggai Cardinalfish be kept with its most common tank mate?

The checker returns "Can be kept together". Banggai Cardinalfish and Ocellaris Clownfish is a well-established pairing. Individual fish still differ; the record says "usually fine", not "guaranteed".

G-01 / 63Marine

Banggai Cardinalfish泗水玫瑰

Pterapogon kauderni · Apogonidae

Silver with black bars and white spots; males mouthbrood, and it breeds readily.

Illustration to come

G-01 / 63 · Banggai Cardinalfish Pterapogon kauderni

SpecificationsFish atlas

Name: 泗水玫瑰
Scientific name: Pterapogon kauderni
Family: Apogonidae
Origin: Banggai Islands, Indonesia
Adult size: 6–8 cm
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Diet: Carnivore
Water level: Middle
Level: Moderate
Min. tank: 100 L
Min. length: 80 cm
Reef safe: Reef safe

Water requirementsMarine

Temp.24–27 °C

pH8.1–8.4

Salinity1.023–1.026 SG

Alkalinity7–9 dKH

Units: temperature in °C, hardness in German degrees (dGH / dKH), marine salinity as specific gravity at 25 °C, volume in litres. These are the values recorded for the species and do not follow the site unit switcher.

Keeping notes

1Wild populations are heavily collected; buy captive-bred stock.
2Usually feeds easily, but keep live brine on hand for stubborn individuals.
3Conspecifics form cliques and exclude outsiders; keep one or a pair in small tanks.
4Males brood eggs about three weeks and release fully formed juveniles.
5Reef safe, though it takes very small shrimp fry.

Check a tank mate

Jump straight to the verdict for Banggai Cardinalfish against this one — no need to pick it again.

Frequently asked questions

How big does Banggai Cardinalfish get?: Banggai Cardinalfish reaches an adult standard length of 6–8 cm (excluding the caudal fin). Size the tank for that, not for the juvenile you bring home — the difference is often several times over, and upgrading later costs more than buying once.
What water does Banggai Cardinalfish need?: 24–27 °C, pH 8.1–8.4, 7–12 dGH, 7–9 dKH, specific gravity 1.023–1.026. That is only 3 °C wide, so stability matters more than hitting a particular number.
What is the smallest tank for Banggai Cardinalfish?: At least 100 L, and no shorter than 80 cm. That is the floor for long-term keeping, not for short-term survival: volume buys water stability and length buys swimming room, and neither substitutes for the other. It is not a schooling fish, so a single specimen or a pair is fine.
What is Banggai Cardinalfish like to keep?: Temperament: semi-aggressive. Difficulty: moderate. It occupies the middle and is carnivore. Reef safety is "Reef safe".
Can Banggai Cardinalfish be kept with its most common tank mate?: The checker returns "Can be kept together". Banggai Cardinalfish and Ocellaris Clownfish is a well-established pairing. Individual fish still differ; the record says "usually fine", not "guaranteed".