banggai cardinalfish hanging out in corner

I bought a Bangaii on Friday and all he seems to do is hang out in the corner of the tank near the powerhead. He hasn't really eaten much of anything that I have fed him, but he does seem to grab stuff from the water column here and there.

I am guessing that my Sebae clown is the culprit behind his reclusive behavior and his lack of appetite.

Is there anything I can do or should I return the cardinal?

PS- 20 gallon aquarium

 

Cardinal are shy fish, not huge swimmers. They hover in the darker areas of the tank during the lighting period until they get comfortable. Some never adapt to the intense lighting.

If you want a colorful active swimmer Cardinals are not the fish, most tend to be more cryptic. Adding a partner of the opposite sex can help though.

 

Thanks, I didn't realize that. They look a bit awkward, so i was thinking that the strong flow may be a reason why he was hanging out in the corner. The clown has gone after her a time or two, will that become an issue or will both adapt to each other in time?

 

In a 20 gallon that is any ones guess. It may feel so intimidated by an established clown that it will not venture out nor feed. Depends on the clown.

 

Do you think going through the hassle of rearranging the rock structure will help?

 

It might. That is a lot of work and risk, I would give a day or two more to see if it will work.

 

I have 2 Bangaii Cardinals and this behavior is the norm. They are more active at night when the lights go out. Oh and nothing makes my Cardinals more active than copepods. My Cardinals will dash across the tank if it spots one

 

Thanks. I am now more concerned with his eating, or lack of. He takes in brine and pellets, but spits most, if not all, of them back out. The LFS said he was eating cyclopeeze at the store. Wonder if I should get that?

I moved the rocks, btw. I was wanting to do so anyways. I saw the cardinal down in the rearranged rock work this morning, so that's an improvement.

 

Cardinals are nocturnal...They do their thing at night. Totally normal behavior.

 

I wouldn't worry about feeding. Mine doesn't even move for the food when I feed the tank. He does his eating at night. I can tell because he has almost doubled in size since I got him. They love overhangs. If you get a chance, re-arrange the rock so there is a overhang somewhere.



Mine hangs out under that rock all day long until the lights go out