Beautiful fish

http://www.zsl.org These striking tropical fish are Bangaii Cardinalfish, found only in the reefs of the Bangaii Islands in Sulawesi, Indonesia. They are taken from the wild for the aquarium trade but in an unsustainable manner and are thus endangered with more than 87% of the population lost since 1994.

In the wild they form stable groups with an average of 9 individuals, inhabiting shallow waters and venturing no deeper than 6 meters. Females will initiate courtship and spawning with a male, and the pair will find and defend a territory separated from the main group during this period. She releases eggs that the male fertilizes before he gulps them into his mouth cavity. For this reason the species are know as paternal mouth brooders. The males carry up to 40 eggs for 18-24 days, and then subsequently the fry for a further 10 days before releasing the juveniles near a long spined sea urchin or anemone which provides protection from predators.

In 2007, the species was recognized by IUCN as Endangered due to collection for the international aquarium trade. Regulation of the collection and exportation of the species for the aquarium trade as well as local artificial propagation of the species so captive bred animals can substitute wild caught fish, are crucial steps that need to be taken to conserve this species.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• ZSL
• London
• Zoo
• Beautiful
• fish
• bangaii
• cardinal
• tropical
• aquarium

[semlacka]

Could you make a little bit longer clip? This fishes are soooo relaxing... :)

[o7jimmy]

Wonderful!  :) 10/10*

[WWpictures100]

@semlacka Maybe you can use a saltwater tank come join the hobbie!!ii!i!

[1endlessocean]

they are so pretty

[fova5]

Looks like Luminion

[helpthem101]

umm it would be good if there was music and it was longer and there was different kinds of fish

[camotharpo]

those r cardinals i love these fish! but how big do they get?

[FruitsBasketKisa]

Oh, wow, they're so unique but still beautiful.

[espocrespo]

Loads of people have these in the aquarium trade, they are also easily captive bred now