Banggai CardinalFish

Key Takeaways

Introduction

The Banggai Cardinalfish, also known by its scientific name Pterapogon kauderni, is a small tropical fish that is part of the Apogonidae family. This species is endemic to the Banggai Archipelago in Sulawesi, Indonesia. It is the only member of its genus.

The Banggai Cardinalfish is popular in the aquarium trade due to its unique and exotic appearance. Its body is small, and it has a distinctive tasseled first dorsal fin, elongated anal and second dorsal fin rays, and a deeply forked caudal fin.

Behavior

The behavior of the Banggai Cardinalfish is quite fascinating. This species is diurnal, which means it is active during the day. When these fish feel in danger, individual fish display distinct homing behavior and return to the original location of their group. You often find it associated with seagrass and long-spined sea urchins.

Habitat

The Banggai Cardinalfish lives in shallow waters among coral reefs and seagrass beds of the Banggai Archipelago in Indonesia. It forms stable groups of about nine individuals in shallow water, most commonly at depths of 1.5 to 2.5 meters and they prefer more protected calmer water.

Reproduction

Just like many other types of cardinalfish, the roles are switched when it comes to taking care of the babies. It’s actually the male fish that look after the eggs. They do this by carrying the eggs in their mouths until they hatch. Female may produce at most 90 eggs, with diameter about 2-3 mm.

Conservation Status

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the Banggai Cardinalfish as an endangered species. The biggest dangers to this species come from overharvesting for the ornamental live reef trade and from the destruction of their natural habitats.

Estimates from 2000-2001 indicated that traders were dealing between 700,000 and 1.4 million Banggai Cardinal Fish each year. This large number was considered too high to keep up with, and it was believed to have a negative effect on the number of these fish in the wild.

Efforts to Protect the Species

To protect this species, several measures have been taken:

• The Indonesian Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries has officially designated it as a protected species.
• The implementation of a National Action Plan for Conservation of Banggai Cardinalfish took place for the period 2017-2021.

Conclusion

The Banggai Cardinalfish is a unique and fascinating species. Despite the threats it faces, efforts are being made to ensure its survival. Its unique behavior, interesting habitat, and reproduction process make it a popular choice for aquariums. With continued conservation efforts and responsible pet ownership, we can hope for a bright future for this amazing species.

References:

1. https://en-m-wikipedia-org.translate.goog/wiki/Banggai_cardinalfish?_x_tr_sl=en&_x_tr_tl=id&_x_tr_hl=id&_x_tr_pto=tc
2. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/banggai-cardinalfish
3. https://www.mongabay.co.id/2021/02/15/banggai-cardinal-fish-si-cantik-dan-endemik-sulawesi/
4. https://www.coraltrianglecenter.org/2021/07/06/new-marine-protected-areas-in-maluku-established/