Banggai vs pajama for schooling

midna · 09/06/2008, 07:08 PM

Was thinking of getting a school of cardinal fish for a 600g display. I've read that banggai school well and are reef safe, however most people with schools seem to have pajama's. Is there a reason? Anyone forsee any problems with trying a school of around 8 banggai's?

Currently the only other tank mates would be a cuc, a pair of clowns, and a harlequin shrimp. Down the road there will probably be a school of anthias, some tangs, firefish, and possibly another pair of clowns. It is a reef tank, but it's in it's infancy so most of the corals are in a frag tank to grow out.

Thanks!

crabbejoe · 09/06/2008, 07:25 PM

Pajamas are usually cheaper than banggai's. Maybe that's why. I think a banggai school would look better.

quack · 09/06/2008, 07:37 PM

blue green chromis are more active, school better and are cheap!

Moonstream · 09/06/2008, 08:03 PM

bangaiis are not actually shoaling fish. they form loose shoals with their broodmates when they are young, but once they reach sexual maturity they will find a mate, pair off, and defend their territory from other banggais. in tanks, a pair will usually kill all the others over time.

pajamas, on the other hand, will happily hang out in groups for their whole lives. however, they are not fish who tend to move around much. they usually stay in one place, hanging out in low flow areas.

IMO, a better cardinal for schooling the the threadfin/ blue eye cardinal.

Gdevine · 09/06/2008, 09:19 PM

Unless you have a huge tank like 200g's plus it's hard to find good schooling fish.

Banggai cardinals only pair, as they should; and blue green chromis will kill themselves off until there is only maybe two left.

Peter Eichler · 09/06/2008, 11:45 PM

I'd suggest Apogon leptacanthus. They are much prettier in person than photos and seem to be less aggressive with conspecifics.

midna · 09/07/2008, 10:45 AM

I see, thanks for the help! So the Banggai idea is out. Most of my research pulls up that threadfins are night stalkers and bottom feeders. I was hoping for something a bit more out in the open during the day. I may have to compromise and get a school of pajamas.

Thanks again!

Reef Stallion · 09/07/2008, 09:44 PM

I had 2 Banggai fish. Jack and Jill. Jack killed Jill and now I only got Jack!

Kannin · 09/07/2008, 11:41 PM

Any fish with large eyes will be nocturnal. I have a breeding pair of Banggaiis and they are much more active at night.

I believe blue green chromis' kill each other off in competion for rationed food. They are like humming birds. Constantly buzzing around... expending alot of energy. In my tank where they are well fed... the same 11 have been together for 7 months. Well, there were twelve but, one tried to surf the carpet.

I think jill was a john...

Reef Stallion · 09/08/2008, 05:50 PM

Sorry.

Jack and Jack went up the hill. Jack killed Jack and now all I got is Jack!

09/06/2008, 07:08 PM	#1
midna Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 53	Banggai vs pajama for schooling Was thinking of getting a school of cardinal fish for a 600g display. I've read that banggai school well and are reef safe, however most people with schools seem to have pajama's. Is there a reason? Anyone forsee any problems with trying a school of around 8 banggai's? Currently the only other tank mates would be a cuc, a pair of clowns, and a harlequin shrimp. Down the road there will probably be a school of anthias, some tangs, firefish, and possibly another pair of clowns. It is a reef tank, but it's in it's infancy so most of the corals are in a frag tank to grow out. Thanks!

09/06/2008, 07:25 PM	#2
crabbejoe Premium Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Little Chute, WI Posts: 707	Pajamas are usually cheaper than banggai's. Maybe that's why. I think a banggai school would look better. __________________ Joe Current Tank Info: 20 gallon reef, 75 gallon FOWLR

09/06/2008, 09:19 PM	#5
Gdevine Premium Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Pompano Beach, FL Posts: 1,232	Unless you have a huge tank like 200g's plus it's hard to find good schooling fish. Banggai cardinals only pair, as they should; and blue green chromis will kill themselves off until there is only maybe two left. __________________ What's good having a monkey if you can't play with it? Current Tank Info: 65g Mixed Reef - 35g Fuge - EcoSystem Method

09/06/2008, 11:45 PM	#6
Peter Eichler Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Milwaukee Posts: 6,081	I'd suggest Apogon leptacanthus. They are much prettier in person than photos and seem to be less aggressive with conspecifics. __________________ April 2015 TOTM

09/07/2008, 11:41 PM	#9
Kannin Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Fall City, WA Posts: 1,538	Any fish with large eyes will be nocturnal. I have a breeding pair of Banggaiis and they are much more active at night. I believe blue green chromis' kill each other off in competion for rationed food. They are like humming birds. Constantly buzzing around... expending alot of energy. In my tank where they are well fed... the same 11 have been together for 7 months. Well, there were twelve but, one tried to surf the carpet. I think jill was a john... __________________ I used to target feed mojanos... until I found out that they weren't baby bubble tips.

09/06/2008, 07:37 PM	#3
quack Premium Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: pensacola, florida Posts: 217	blue green chromis are more active, school better and are cheap!

09/06/2008, 08:03 PM	#4
Moonstream Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: NYC Posts: 2,581	bangaiis are not actually shoaling fish. they form loose shoals with their broodmates when they are young, but once they reach sexual maturity they will find a mate, pair off, and defend their territory from other banggais. in tanks, a pair will usually kill all the others over time. pajamas, on the other hand, will happily hang out in groups for their whole lives. however, they are not fish who tend to move around much. they usually stay in one place, hanging out in low flow areas. IMO, a better cardinal for schooling the the threadfin/ blue eye cardinal.

09/07/2008, 10:45 AM	#7
midna Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 53	I see, thanks for the help! So the Banggai idea is out. Most of my research pulls up that threadfins are night stalkers and bottom feeders. I was hoping for something a bit more out in the open during the day. I may have to compromise and get a school of pajamas. Thanks again!

09/07/2008, 09:44 PM	#8
Reef Stallion Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Coopersburg, PA Posts: 123	I had 2 Banggai fish. Jack and Jill. Jack killed Jill and now I only got Jack!

09/08/2008, 05:50 PM	#10
Reef Stallion Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Coopersburg, PA Posts: 123	Sorry. Jack and Jack went up the hill. Jack killed Jack and now all I got is Jack!