Banggai Cardinalfish
About the Banggai Cardinalfish
One of the most endangered fish due to the aquarium trade. Their entire natural range is just 5,500 sq km around the Banggai Islands. Males carry eggs in their mouths for 20+ days, not eating during that period. After hatching, the fry remain in the males mouth for protection. They were only discovered by science in 1920. Wild populations crashed 90% from aquarium collection. Captive breeding programs exist but have not reduced wild collection. They are nocturnal. They shelter among sea urchin spines for protection. There may be fewer than 20,000 left in the wild.
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