Banggai Cardinal carrying babies

[bubbaque]

It was really hard to get a shot with the mouth open any wider to see the babies. I figured I would share what I was able to capture. For those who are not aware, the male will carry the eggs and babies in their mouth. You can see a couple in there.

 

[anthonywesty]

Nice!! Sometimes they eat the babies. You can remove them and incubate the eggs using a tumbler. This way is safer for the fry.

 

[bubbaque]

The two banggais I have seem to mate all the time. I never see the babies usually because I am sure the other fish gobble them down. A couple fell out of his mouth yesterday and the other fish instantly ate them.

Raising the banggai cardinals seems like it would be a full time job, lol. Don't they need special food to eat?

 

[anthonywesty]

Yes! In the beginning you have to feed them with live baby brine shrimp every 3-4 times per day. They can starving in just one day without food.

 

[Daniel@R2R]

Great photos!! Thanks for sharing!