Adding new Bangaii to existing one

i have crabs · #1 07-18-2009, 03:33 AM

you usually can tell easily by the jaw once you know the difference, its very slight but once their older its easy to tell

Myka · #2 07-18-2009, 03:11 PM

Carmen, good idea! I will try that. I think that's a better idea than moving them into a 10 gallon.

i have crabs: I know how to tell the difference, you're right that it's usually fairly easy provided they are well mature. The problem is that with Bangaiis all being captive bred now you don't usually find mature specimens in the store. They are usually still juveniles that aren't mature enough to show their sex. The one I bought is a bit bigger than usual store size, and looks like it could be developing a larger jawline, but he's not big enough for a positive ID. I'm not 100% convinced it's a male.

Myka · #3 07-18-2009, 06:07 PM

Ok, I changed the fishies around. The female is in the container now. Now that she's in the container, and I can get a good look at her (she always hides in the tank so tough to look) I'm starting to question her femininity!!

When my breeding pair was still together and I could only see one at a time it was tough to tell if it was the male or the female, but when they were side by side it was easier, although not astoundingly obvious. So now I'm questioning myself. Oi!

EDIT: I just went back and looked at pics I had of my breeding pair, and compared the spots on the one that's left...and IT'S THE MALE!!!!!!!

Why didn't I think of doing that earlier???!! I'm pretty much totally unsure whether the new one is male or female. I'm leaning towards male...but at this point...

I am SOOOOOO mad at myself for not looking at pictures before to determine which one was eaten by the Bubble Coral. I have searched for the last 3 months for a new male for my "female", and it took quite a bit of screwing around to get this new one here. Oi!!!

Le Sigh.

Zoaelite · #4 07-18-2009, 06:44 PM

Keeping reef fish is like mixing unknown chemicals, you never know whats really going to happen. Will Bangaii's change sex like clown fish? If not perhaps you could keep it as a Polyandrous group by getting one female? I have never had luck with the Bangaii's so I'm just shooting some ideas out there for you. Could always try a trade in? What ever the solution is GL with it!
Levi

Myka · #5 07-18-2009, 07:08 PM

Thanks Levi! I wish it were as simple as them changing sex, but no they don't. They are born a certain sex, and they won't change. Two male Bangaiis will fight to the death. Two females "may" coexist peacefully, but that's kinda 50/50. A pair will coexist very well, and do much better as a mated pair than singly.

mike31154 · #6 07-19-2009, 03:43 AM

If it's any consolation, you are not alone. I had purchased what I thought was a female Mandarin Dragonet for my male but it turns out I now have two males in the tank! After I discovered my screw up I went back to the LFS and asked if I could trade the critter in. After a little hhm haa, they said ok, but it's a moot point since I'm unable to catch the little bugger anyhow. Too much LR and I'm in no mood to re-aquascape my tank at the moment. It will have to wait until I start my next build. Thankfully they're staying out of each other's hair for the moment. The newbie is a juvi and very much smaller than my original resident. I had heard/read that you can't keep two male Mandarins in the same tank and was quite concerned. After a bit of flak from my Blue Devil Damselfish, he has settled in nicely. I suspect that once the juvi gets larger, the power struggle may begin. Need to get that new tank going and separate them in the process. For now it's all good, they're both browsing the tank and keeping themselves well fed. Hope things turn out ok with the Bangais. That dilemma along with your cracked sump seems to be making for a frustrating time lately... don't worry, be happy and this too shall pass.

Myka · #7 07-19-2009, 06:09 AM

Luckily, I designed my live rock with catching fish in mind (as well as open swimming space), so I can catch fish at any time without too much struggle. This has already turned out to be quite handy!!

I want to add a pair of Mandarins to my tank later on as well. I hope yours stay out of eachother's hair until you get it sorted out. At least they're easier to sex!!

Oh yes, this and the cracked sump = annoyance at reef.