Cardinalfish
Cardinalfish are a popular choice for reef aquariums due to their striking appearance and peaceful nature. These small, schooling fish are known for their vibrant colors and distinctive body shapes, which often include elongated fins and large eyes. One of the most well-known species is the Pterapogon kauderni, which is easily recognizable by its silver body adorned with black stripes and spots. Another popular species is the Sphaeramia nematoptera, which features a unique pattern of spots and stripes, giving it a 'pajama' look.
Cardinalfish are generally hardy and easy to care for, making them suitable for both beginner and experienced aquarists. They thrive in well-maintained reef tanks with plenty of hiding spots and live rock, which mimic their natural habitat. These fish are nocturnal by nature, so they may be more active during the evening and night hours.
In terms of diet, Cardinalfish are carnivorous and prefer a varied diet of meaty foods such as brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, and finely chopped seafood. They can also be trained to accept high-quality flake or pellet foods. It's important to feed them small amounts several times a day to keep them healthy and vibrant.
Breeding Cardinalfish in captivity is possible and has been successfully done by many hobbyists. They are mouthbrooders, meaning the male carries the fertilized eggs in his mouth until they hatch. Providing a stress-free environment and proper nutrition can encourage breeding behavior.
Overall, Cardinalfish are a delightful addition to any reef aquarium, offering both beauty and interesting behavior. Their peaceful temperament allows them to coexist well with other reef-safe fish and invertebrates, making them a versatile choice for community tanks.
- Common name: Brazilian flamefishScientific name: Apogon americanus
- Common name: Blacktip cardinalfishScientific name: Apogon atradorsatus
- Common name: Two-spotted cardinalfishScientific name: Apogon binotatus
- Common name: Ruby cardinalfishScientific name: Apogon coccineus
- Common name: diamond cardinalfishScientific name: Apogon dhofar
- Common name: Longspine cardinalfishScientific name: Apogon doryssa
- Common name: Hawaiian ruby cardinalfishScientific name: Apogon erythrinus
- Common name: Guadaloupe cardinalfishScientific name: Apogon guadalupensis
- Common name: CardinalfishScientific name: Apogon imberbis
- Common name: whitestar cardinalfishScientific name: Apogon lachneri
- Common name: Spotted cardinalfishScientific name: Apogon maculatus
- Common name: Mimic cardinalfishScientific name: Apogon phenax
- Common name: Rearbar cardinalfishScientific name: Apogon posterofasciatus
- Common name: Twospot cardinalfishScientific name: Apogon pseudomaculatus
- Common name: Sawcheek cardinalfishScientific name: Apogon quadrisquamatus
- Common name: Roughlip cardinalfishScientific name: Apogon robinsi
- Common name: Obliquebanded cardinalfishScientific name: Apogon semiornatus
- Common name: belted cardinalfishScientific name: Apogon townsendi
- Common name: Threadfin CardinalfishScientific name: Apogonichthyoides cathetogramma
- Common name: CardinalfishScientific name: Apogonichthyoides melas
- Common name: Bullseye cardinalfishScientific name: Apogonichthyoides nigripinnis
- Common name: twobelt cardinalfishScientific name: Apogonichthyoides taeniatus
- Common name: Gon's cardinalfishScientific name: Archamia bleekeri
- Common name: Punctate cardinalfishScientific name: Astrapogon puncticulatus
- Common name: conchfishScientific name: Astrapogon stellatus
- Common name: Allen's CardinalfishScientific name: Cheilodipterus alleni
- Common name: Tiger cardinalScientific name: Cheilodipterus artus
- Common name: arrowtooth cardinalScientific name: Cheilodipterus lachneri
- Common name: Mimic cardinalfishScientific name: Cheilodipterus parazonatus
- Common name: Fivelined cardinalfishScientific name: Cheilodipterus quinquelineatus
- Common name: Inshore cardinalfishScientific name: Fibramia lateralis
- Common name: Cinnamon ClownfishScientific name: Fibramia thermalis
- Common name: Spotcheek cardinalfishScientific name: Fowleria variegata
- Common name: Three-saddle cardinalfishScientific name: Nectamia bandanensis
- Common name: Ghost cardinalfishScientific name: Nectamia savayensis
- Common name: Zebra DartfishScientific name: Nectamia zebrinus
- Common name: Striped cardinalfishScientific name: Ostorhinchus angustatus
- Common name: Short-tooth cardinalScientific name: Ostorhinchus apogonoides
- Common name: Ringtailed cardinalfishScientific name: Ostorhinchus aureus
- Common name: Yellow cardinal-fishScientific name: Ostorhinchus cavitensis
- Common name: Yellowlined cardinalfishScientific name: Ostorhinchus chrysotaenia
- Common name: Ochre-striped cardinalfishScientific name: Ostorhinchus compressus
- Common name: Chubby cardinalfishScientific name: Ostorhinchus cookii
- Common name: Yellowstriped cardinalfishScientific name: Ostorhinchus cyanosoma
- Common name: Redspot cardinalfishScientific name: Ostorhinchus dispar
- Common name: Doederlein's cardinalfishScientific name: Ostorhinchus doederleini
- Common name: Many-striped cardinalfishScientific name: Ostorhinchus endekataenia
- Common name: Brassy cardinalfishScientific name: Ostorhinchus flavus
- Common name: Fukui's CardinalfishScientific name: Ostorhinchus fukuii
- Common name: Griffin's CardinalfishScientific name: Ostorhinchus griffini
- Common name: Hartzfeld's cardinalfishScientific name: Ostorhinchus hartzfeldii
- Common name: Frostfin cardinalfishScientific name: Ostorhinchus hoevenii
- Common name: Copperstriped cardinalfishScientific name: Ostorhinchus holotaenia
- Common name: Ishigaki CardinalfishScientific name: Ostorhinchus ishigakiensis
- Common name: rifle cardinalfishScientific name: Ostorhinchus kiensis
- Common name: Spotted CardinalfishScientific name: Ostorhinchus maculiferus
- Common name: Pearly cardinalfishScientific name: Ostorhinchus margaritophorus
- Common name: Blacktail CardinalfishScientific name: Ostorhinchus melanoproctus
- Common name: Moluccan cardinalfishScientific name: Ostorhinchus moluccensis
- Common name: Yelloweye CardinalfishScientific name: Ostorhinchus monospilus
- Common name: Many-lined cardinalfishScientific name: Ostorhinchus multilineatus
- Common name: Dwarf CardinalfishScientific name: Ostorhinchus nanus
- Common name: Neotenous cardinalfishScientific name: Ostorhinchus neotes
- Common name: Blackstripe cardinalfishScientific name: Ostorhinchus nigrofasciatus
- Common name: Nine-banded soldierfishScientific name: Ostorhinchus novemfasciatus
- Common name: Orange-Lined CardinalfishScientific name: Ostorhinchus oxina
- Common name: Small-Scaled CardinalfishScientific name: Ostorhinchus parvulus
- Common name: Southern orange-lined cardinal fishScientific name: Ostorhinchus properuptus
- Common name: Threadfin CardinalfishScientific name: Ostorhinchus pselion
- Common name: Redspot cardinalfishScientific name: Ostorhinchus rubrimacula
- Common name: Seale's cardinalfishScientific name: Ostorhinchus sealei
- Common name: Meteor cardinalfishScientific name: Ostorhinchus selas
- Common name: Blacktip cardinalfishScientific name: Ostorhinchus semilineatus
- Common name: Kupang cardinalfishScientific name: Ostorhinchus wassinki
- Common name: Pigmy sweeperScientific name: Parapriacanthus ransonneti
- Common name: Glassy sweeperScientific name: Pempheris schomburgkii
- Common name: Silver sweeperScientific name: Pempheris schwenkii
- Common name: Vanikoro sweeperScientific name: Pempheris vanicolensis
- Common name: Lateralstripe cardinalfishScientific name: Pristiapogon abrogramma
- Common name: Narrowstripe cardinalfishScientific name: Pristiapogon exostigma
- Common name: Bridled cardinalfishScientific name: Pristiapogon fraenatus
- Common name: Iridescent cardinalfishScientific name: Pristiapogon kallopterus
- Common name: Bandfin cardinalfishScientific name: Pristiapogon taeniopterus
- Common name: Redfin cardinalfishScientific name: Pristicon rhodopterus
- Common name: Three-spot cardinalfishScientific name: Pristicon trimaculatus
- Common name: White-jawed cardinalfishScientific name: Pseudamia amblyuroptera
- Common name: Tail-spot cardinalfishScientific name: Pseudamia gelatinosa
- Common name: Paddlefish cardinalfishScientific name: Pseudamia zonata
- Common name: Banggai cardinal fishScientific name: Pterapogon kauderni
- Common name: Luminous cardinalfishScientific name: Rhabdamia gracilis
- Common name: Blackfin DartfishScientific name: Rhabdamia nigrimentum
- Common name: Short siphonfishScientific name: Siphamia fistulosa
- Common name: Sea urchin cardinalScientific name: Siphamia mossambica
- Common name: Urchin cardinalfishScientific name: Siphamia tubifer
- Common name: Pajama cardinalfishScientific name: Sphaeramia nematoptera
- Common name: Orbiculate cardinalfishScientific name: Sphaeramia orbicularis
- Common name: Twostripe CardinalfishScientific name: Taeniamia ataenia
- Common name: Twinspot cardinalfishScientific name: Taeniamia biguttata
- Common name: Two-line Monocle BreamScientific name: Taeniamia bilineata
- Common name: Buru cardinalfishScientific name: Taeniamia buruensis
- Common name: Bridled CardinalfishScientific name: Taeniamia fucata
- Common name: Lea's CardinalfishScientific name: Taeniamia leai
- Common name: Lined DartfishScientific name: Taeniamia lineolata
- Common name: Longfin CardinalfishScientific name: Taeniamia macroptera
- Common name: Mozambique CardinalfishScientific name: Taeniamia mozambiquensis
- Common name: Crimson SoldierfishScientific name: Taeniamia pallida
- Common name: Blackbelted cardinalfishScientific name: Taeniamia zosterophora
- Common name: Evermann's CardinalfishScientific name: Zapogon evermanni
- Common name: Fragile cardinalfishScientific name: Zoramia fragilis
- Common name: Longspine cardinalfishScientific name: Zoramia leptacantha