[Meric]

Well, the live rock has finally cured, Ammonia 0, Nitrites 0, Nitrates at about 10ppm. Been stable for about a week, decided it was safe to make my first purchase. So I took a couple of snapshots of my first fish and how my tank currently looks.

I believe 115lbs of Live Rock is not enough. I will have to get more soon.

Let me know what you think. I think I will get a Polyp Coral or button coral next in about 4 weeks.

The fish are doing great, they are already eating like pigs. They love mysis shrimp, and brine shrimp.

[Sueet]

Originally Posted by Meric

Well, the live rock has finally cured, Ammonia 0, Nitrites 0, Nitrates at about 10ppm. Been stable for about a week, decided it was safe to make my first purchase. So I took a couple of snapshots of my first fish and how my tank currently looks.

I believe 115lbs of Live Rock is not enough. I will have to get more soon.

Let me know what you think. I think I will get a Polyp Coral or button coral next in about 4 weeks.

The fish are doing great, they are already eating like pigs. They love mysis shrimp, and brine shrimp.

I love Banggai Cardinals... they're a bit shy tho, since they are nocturnal, but very pretty to look at. I bought a couple of them, but they both died within a few days of having them.... I was later told they were probably caught with cyanide..... I am going to be getting 3 babies next weekend from a local reefer, they were born in his tank, so I have confidence that these guys will do much better!

Your tank is looking good btw!

[Meric]

Thanks. I actually purchased the fish on Friday, but decided to wait a few days to make sure they were good fish. I've had them held at the pet shop since Tuesday, they ate a while I was in the pet shop. I believe these are a pair, all the other Banggai cardinals were kept in individually in seperate aquariums except these two, they were kept together and they haven't left each other's side for the last 3 days. I have moon lights and it is cool to watch them at night they are out of their cave a little more, but so far these guys haven't been too shy, especially when the food hits the water.

[Samper]

I dont know if all cardinals are the same as far as how you tell what sex they are but on mine which are spotted cardinals, the males ....dorsal fin I guess is elongated to a point aiming toward the back. The females just look like a normal fin. I'm sure my terminology isnt right but hope you get what I mean. As for you tank, it's beautiful. Love the rock work and wish I had a setup that size.

[Sueet]

Originally Posted by Meric

Thanks. I actually purchased the fish on Friday, but decided to wait a few days to make sure they were good fish. I've had them held at the pet shop since Tuesday, they ate a while I was in the pet shop. I believe these are a pair, all the other Banggai cardinals were kept in individually in seperate aquariums except these two, they were kept together and they haven't left each other's side for the last 3 days. I have moon lights and it is cool to watch them at night they are out of their cave a little more, but so far these guys haven't been too shy, especially when the food hits the water.

I wish I had let the lfs hold mine, but for the record, they appeared healthy, ate very well, very active..... then one morning, poof, dead, both of them..... and none of the other fish that were in the tank with them showed any distress at all (at the time it was 3 blue damsels, 2 pyjama (spotted) cardinals, a pygmy cherub angel, and a lawnmower blenny) ... There were also no signs of injury or damage on them, just ... Dead.

I sincerely hope yours fare better!

[Ninong]

It is virtually impossible to sex Pterapogon kauderni juveniles. Dr. Frank Marini has extensive experience breeding these fish and gives pointers on how to distinguish sexually mature fish here: http://www.breeders-registry.gen.ca....ini/marini.htm