Bengai cardinal weird behavior

zach_jb69 · Jan 3, 2025

Got this cardinal like 5 months ago probably and he’s been doing great, one died unfortunately so he’s alone but he sorta slowed down a little and now he’s pretty still. I checked my tank at night and he was between my torches and the glass on the drag rack, probably getting stung? It’s a Todd’s and a indo gold and black light torches. I nudged him and he swam off strong but now he’s legit sitting on a frag of Xenia on the sand bed. He CAN swim but he doesn’t seem to leave the toadstool-mushroom-Xenia area. Is he hosting, is he sick? Like what.

UnnamedReef · Jan 3, 2025

Is he eating ok? I have a single large banggai that I've had for over a year. It mostly just hangs out as you're describing. Has a preferred spot for (I assume) flow preference. Regularly sleeps on the sand bed or up against my toadstool.

If you don't see any fin deterioration, diseases, and the fish eats ok then I'd say let it ride.

zach_jb69 · Jan 3, 2025

UnnamedReef said:
Is he eating ok? I have a single large banggai that I've had for over a year. It mostly just hangs out as you're describing. Has a preferred spot for (I assume) flow preference. Regularly sleeps on the sand bed or up against my toadstool.

If you don't see any fin deterioration, diseases, and the fish eats ok then I'd say let it ride.

That was my final test. I tried to feed the tank and he sat there. Last night I checked the tank and he was breathing, completely colored up but immobile. Tried to swim occasionally but just couldn’t happen. I accepted I couldn’t do anything at 3:00am with no medication.

I HAVE been dosing antifungal medicine (reeflux) to kill my bryopsis.

I seriously doubt that killed it but I am quite saddened