Flame Cardinal with Banggai Cardinal?

[Reef Breeder 2013]

Ok, I honestly love Cardinals, especially Banggai and Flame. From what I've read, the Flame Cardinal will have problems with the Banggai, so I came to ask before making a decision. The tank is just over 20 gallons (60 cm long) and has a few hiding places.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Fish compatibility is always a gray area - there is too much variation with individual fish to make many blanket statements. However, these two species, if close to the same size, should get along o.k. - just be sure there are some caves for the flame cardinal to stay in if it wants.

 

[Doctorgori]

There are a few of those “Flame cardinals” …Ive owned at least 4 types. The Pacific ones hide a lot and I cant recall any aggression, whereas the three Carribean species all seem to make a point of attacking anything close in appearance…I even tried mixing different species, it didn't work ..
Just my sample experience

 

[Zionas]

Is it the Apogon Maculatus?

 

[Reef Breeder 2013]

Is it the Apogon Maculatus?

Yes, I mean this one.

 

[Zionas]

@Greybeard Has experience with several types of Cardinals. Maybe ask him.

Flame Cardinals get bigger than the Bangaiis.

 

[Reef Breeder 2013]

Ok, I just read that these little guys eat shrimp, so that's out.

 

[Greybeard]

Depending on the size, you'd be hard pressed to find a fish in the sea that won't eat shrimp ;D

I've kept Apogon maculatus and psudomaculatus, both western Atlantic species, along with a half a dozen other varieties of cardinals. Always been a favorite.

A 20g is pretty tight quarters. Flame cards get up to like 4", I wouldn't recommend keeping one in a tank that small.

Maybe a yellow card? (Ostorhinchus luteus). ORA was breeding them for a while, not sure if they still offer them. They stay small, attractive, easy going. Something you don't really see every day. You could easily support a pair in a 20g system.

Red spot cards, (Apogon parvulus) might work too, but I've never found them very attractive, personally.

 

[bozzie3267]

The flame cardinal I had (unsure what type) was super aggressive. I had 2 pajama cardinals. He murdered both of them then turned his sites on my clownfish and dottyback. I had to return him. But he never bothered any of my shrimp, would actually let them hop on and clean him