A new rescue effort has started to help save the Banggai Cardinalfish!  Although we are lucky enough to have a local member who is having success breeding and raising some banggais more is needed to keep these cool little fish from going extinct in the wild.  The Banggai Rescue project was started to try and keep that from happening.  Check out this info from the project's kickstart page:

Overview of Project

This project will produce an authoritative book in hardcover, softcover, and e-book editions telling the remarkable story of the Banggai Cardinalfish, an alluring coral reef species at the confluence of fishery issues in developing countries, sustainability, and aquaculture.

A star of the aquarium trade, this fish connects native fishing families in a remote region of Indonesia with aquarists worldwide, but overfishing and a mysterious virus now threaten it.

Funding will allow an interdisciplinary team to mount an expedition to the Banggai Islands to document the story and develop new protocols for the mariculture and captive breeding of the Banggai Cardinalfish. The expedition is planned for May 2012, and an experienced publisher has committed to the project, pending funding.

The project is looking for donations and according to their site they need $25,000 pledged by Sunday, April 8, 2012.  If you have some time make sure to head over to www.Banggai-Rescue.com to learn more about the project!