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Banggai Cardinalfish

Pterapogon kauderni

Banggai Cardinalfish

Pterapogon kauderni
At the Aquarium
Connected Coasts

At the Aquarium

Connected Coasts

Appearance

The Banggai cardinalfish has a silver body with contrasting black and light bars. They also have whitish spots and a dot pattern unique to each fish.

Males and females look similar but males can be distinguished during their reproductive period, when their mouth becomes enlarged.

The Bangaii cardinalfish has a tasseled first dorsal fin, an elongated anal fin and second dorsal fin rays, as well as a deeply forked caudal fin.

Habitat

Shallow sheltered bays and harbors, among coral reefs and seagrass beds.

Found at depths between 0.5-6 m.

Diet

Feeds primarily on copepods, a group of small crustaceans. Banggai Cardinalfish are an opportunistic species so they will also eat planktonic organisms when in abundance.

Life History

Like many cardinal fishes, the sex roles of the Banggai cardinalfish are reversed. After the females release an egg sack, the males provide parental care by incubating and hatching the eggs in their mouths. Male Banggai cardinalfish release fully formed juveniles.

Banggai cardinalfish typically live about 2.5-3 years but can live up to 5 years.

IUCN Status

Endangered

Ecosystem & Cultural Importance

The banggai cardinalfish’s threats include habitat destruction and being highly prized in the hobbyist trade.

The decline in the Bangai cardinalfish population can lead to an overabundance of prey species, disrupting the natural order of the food chain.
Range
Banggai Archipelago in eastern Indonesia.
On the Oregon Coast
This animal is not native to the Oregon Coast, however is found in the larger Pacific Ocean. It lives in the Aquarium as part of our Connected Coasts gallery.
Fun Facts
The Banggai cardinalfish is endemic to its region, meaning that it is not found naturally anywhere else.

Its feeding activity decreases as the day goes on and ends around sunset.

Citations & Other Resources

  • Allen, G.R & Donaldson, T.J. 2007. Pterapogon kauderni. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2007
  • Fisheries, N. 2023, October 18. Banggai Cardinalfish | NOAA Fisheries. https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/banggai-cardinalfish.
    • Back to All Animals

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    Since opening in 1992, the Oregon Coast Aquarium has been a premier attraction on Oregon’s central coast and an enduring advocate for the health of our ocean. For over three decades this 501(c)3 non-profit organization has supported marine wildlife and fostered environmental stewardship through its education programs, community partnerships, and rehabilitation efforts. Accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, the Oregon Coast Aquarium is consistently ranked as one of the top 10 aquariums in the U.S., providing visitors with opportunities to connect with 15,000 animals spanning 300 different species. The Oregon Coast Aquarium is located at 2820 S.E. Ferry Slip Rd., Newport, OR. Learn more about the Oregon Coast Aquarium and its vital work at aquarium.org, 541-867-3474. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter for the latest updates.

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