how many cardinals can be keep together

[Alattner]

i have been thinking for a while about getting some Bangaii Cardinals for my 90g. i know they will pair up but can i put in three or four or is two the max?

 

[dougers31]

Hmmm, I'm pretty sure I've seen several in one tank before but don't remember if they were in there long term or not... just put a school of chromis in there and call it good;)

 

[akabryanhall]

I believe you can get more than two in your tank. They are known to be social fish and not that aggressive. I have seen a tank with 3 in there, but am not sure what happened long term.

 

[dougers31]

Here(trusted source:)) it says that they are compatible with each other.. Reef 2 Reef - Compatibility Chart

 

[Alattner]

ya i knew they were non aggressive and have a peaceful way of deciding who will be the tank leader but i was really wondering if anyone has kept three or four in their tank and what kind of success they had

 

[nixer]

i have 3 in my 75 without fighting. 2 are an obvious pair the other is just a loner.
oh and they are aggressive. they just dont take it well. you would have to add them all at the same time too from what ive heard

 

[Alattner]

awesome i might see if i can get a pair this weekend and when i move to the 220 im setting up i think im going to add another pair and see how they do

 

[nixer]

i dont think youll get 2 actual pairs to go. i think the females will fight, but then again never know

 

[BigFeesh]

If it's possible a school of like 13-15 would be bad-butt!

 

[akabryanhall]

If it's possible a school of like 13-15 would be bad-butt!

+1 to that! I wonder if that would be possible? A school of bangaii, I don't think that these are a shoaling fish.

 

[BigFeesh]

Under some crazy awesome lighting so they would glow more than they already do ! And iv seen about 20 in a tank for sale at the lfs. Hmmm I really want to know if it would work now. Shoaling fish or not a bunch would be awesome!
And Is +1 feedback score?

 

[Alattner]

haha well when i get the 220 up i will buy 20 of them drop them in my tank and let you know how it goes. i would just like to have a little group of them. there awesome fish

 

[Travisz]

haha well when i get the 220 up i will buy 20 of them drop them in my tank and let you know how it goes. i would just like to have a little group of them. there awesome fish

Did u ever get 20 in your tank I'm curious

 

[NotReefsafe]

These are not schooling fish. More than a pair in a tank will usually end up as just a pair. People will tell you it "works" because their cardinals have been together for a whole week with no issues. Success isn't measured in weeks or even months, and cardinals will not tolerate each other long term. (Same with chromis, btw...)

 

[twentyleagues]

This thread is 13 years old. Op hasnt been seen since 2012.

 

[EuphyllinOHk]

These are not schooling fish. More than a pair in a tank will usually end up as just a pair. People will tell you it "works" because their cardinals have been together for a whole week with no issues. Success isn't measured in weeks or even months, and cardinals will not tolerate each other long term. (Same with chromis, btw...)

I think this is the correct take and sentiment. I don't think that there are any true schooling or shoaling fish in (hobbyist) marine aquariums like there are in freshwater, at least that I've heard of. Cardinals and Green Chromis seem to be prone to aggression issues (and diseases) that don't resolve cleanly in aquariums. People have temporary success, like freshies have with saaay tiger barb groups, but it never seems to last. I think that can be chalked up to aggressive tendencies increasing when they mature.

I can't comment on anthias, but it seems that they don't form schools/shoals so much as mating groups.

Trying to build large groups in a confined space doesn't seem to play out long term; the extreme example being clownfish harems.