Adding Another Banggai Cardinal: How to Safely Pair Them?

[Rick's Reefing Adventures]

Hey!
In my 25G tank, I currently have:

• 2 Clownfish (had them for 2 years)
• 1 Purple Firefish
• 1 Juvenile Banggai Cardinal

I've had the Banggai for about 1.5 months now, and while it’s becoming more active and growing, I feel like it might be happier in a pair. The main reason I only got one was because I’ve heard it’s nearly impossible to determine their sex when they’re young—and that two males will eventually fight to the death.

Does anyone have tips for safely pairing them? And if it is possible, do you think I could get away with adding one more fish in a 25G? I know it’s pushing the limit, but there are no signs of aggression, and my nutrients are always too low anyway.

Tank behavior-wise:

• The Clownfish use the whole tank.
• The Purple Firefish mainly stays in the bottom half.
• The Banggai originally picked one corner but is slowly starting to explore another.

Would love to hear your thoughts!

 

[KrisReef]

Based upon the very limited space available and the clownfish pair already present I wouldn’t rush to find a mate just because you think the single is lonely.

I think it could be happier alone then with a mate that it has to deal with and the added spacial pressure that “One More Fish” would add.

OMF ( one more fish) syndrome has killed more fish and wiped out more aquarium populations then most other documented causes in my observations. We want the best for our fish and we see so many fishes in many aquariums and we keep adding until the carrying capacity is overwhelmed and fights, diseases and stressors make the fish sick.

OMF Unpublished data KrisReef.

Don’t let it take out your fishes!