PJ Cardinals: Do even numbers work?

[Zionas]

Does keeping them in even numbers work? Or do odd numbers work better? Do they often kill each other off? Tank in question is a 70 gallon. I’m thinking of 4 instead of 3.

 

[BlennyTime]

I had a 2 for a few years and they were pretty boring fish. Were in the back most of the time, and didn’t move much when they were out front. They are nocturnal, and are more active at night.

They never showed much interest in each other or any other fish. I traded them in when I moved my tank.

 

[josephxsxn]

Had 6 for 3-4 years, they seem pretty peaceful and have moved multiple tanks with me together.

 

[Zionas]

What happened to them? And how big was your tank?

 

[Zionas]

Ahh okay how big was your tank?

 

[Ike]

IME, as with chromis and a lot of other fish that people try to get to shoal in aquaria, they generally kill each other off slowly until you have a pair left.

 

[Zionas]

So in that case perhaps just 2 would be better? How do I make sure I get a pair?

 

[KWT]

We had 4, one died the first week, other 3 are still swimming, been just over a month. We added 2 banggai, 2 orbit, and 2 blue eye? All at the same time. They are all peacefully swimming together in my 180g tank.

 

[Zionas]

Ahhh what did that one die from?

 

[josephxsxn]

Tank was 110 gal for a while, then moved into 80 gal flat tray, now back to a 167gal display

 

[smlarson72]

I have 2 in a 60 gallon. One of my originals died so I go a replacement and they have been together for 8 months now. Haven’t had any issues.

 

[Clowning_Around72]

I don't know much about pajama cardinals but I chose to keep a single bangaii cardinal as they seem to kill each other even without more aggressive larger tangs or fish present unlike chromis which so far I have kept successfully in a group.

 

[KWT]

It was just laying on the sand a few mornings later no sign of anything

 

[Zionas]

Sorry to hear about it. What happened?

 

[KWT]

Unknown, nothing appeared to be out of the norm