Bangaii Cardinals: Are they finicky?

[GPB]

I bought two small Bangaii Cardinals (tank raised) One is feeding actively and doing really well. The other just kind of hangs back looks at food but isn't eating nearly as well. So far I've given them Cyclopeeze, Formula One pellets, and NLS. I usually feed my LPS corals frozen PE Mysis once a week. I'll see if that help entice the non-eater.

Is this normal for cardinals?

[indyjaco]

Mine will only go for Mysis. They won't look at other foods.

[discocarp]

Mine won't eat anything other than PE mysis and some seafood from my homemade mix. And with the seafood it has to be exactly the same size as the mysis, and even then they spit it out sometimes. They eat with gusto if the food meets their standards. IF.

[GPB]

Thanks. We'll see if the Mysis works. That's will be a bummer on the convenience meter.

[aandfsoccr04]

In my experience they aren't picky at all. Mine is a voracious eater and will eat anything that I feed the tank.

[Wolverine]

Originally Posted by aandfsoccr04

In my experience they aren't picky at all. Mine is a voracious eater and will eat anything that I feed the tank.

I agree. Tank-raised are rarely finicky.

I'd make sure the one that's not eating isn't being picked on by the one that is. I've seen that make them not eat well. Otherwise, just give it time.

[discocarp]

Mine are tank raised and have been with me a long time. They're still very picky eaters.

[jlymner]

i have mine tank raised and the larger one will eat more than the smaller ... they like the frozen or live food best.. sometimes they will eat flake..

[nepenthes99]

I bough two at petco a few weeks ago and they both started eating right out of the bag. A long time ago I was browsing at petco (the only store that offers SW that takes less than an hr drive to get to) and found a small pack of frozen cubes of mysis and brine called Marine Cuisine. When I bought them their skin was clear and their stripes were pale gray. After feeding the thawed mysis they colored up immediately. The same happened to many other fish that were discolored and had pale spots. I have found my fish are healthiest and most colorful when I feed mysis so it is my staple fish and coral diet in my 40. I would recommend purchasing some.

[ssick92]

Originally Posted by indyjaco

Mine will only go for Mysis. They won't look at other foods.

Same here

[Ryand63]

i've only had 2 before (each bought seperatley though) and they have both eaten almost anything with exception of pellets. I like them alot

[Beefy_Reefy]

Tank bred here. But will only eat frozen brine/spirulina. He hunts at night for live pods and what not. That's about it. He spits mysis out and just watches pellets pass his face and drop to the sand :/

[Empty Bottles]

Mine only eats frozen bloodworms. Spits out mysis. Sniffs pellets and flakes.

[geaux xman]

I bought a pair from my LFS. After 2 days, I found one dead. The marks on the body looks like it was killed, but I couldnt say for certain.

The live one, eats mysis only. It will bite at flakes, but spit it out. Wont touch pellets.

[Guygettnby]

I have had a few that would only eat live brine shrimp, 2 that wouldn't touch anything but mysis and brine. Now the one I have now eats anything and is a pig. I think it is hit or miss with them, but I have noticed over time they will start to eat more and more.

[the808state]

bangaiis have a virus that is only in wild caught bangaiis. Try to find aquacultured ones if possible. the wild ones tend to die for no reason.

[indyjaco]

I think bangaii's aren't the best fish for first time saltwater people as compared to clowns, goby's or chromis. They don't seen to take to dry foods that a new hobbiest would rather feed, so I'd consider them finicky.