Yellowstriped Cardinalfish

Geographical Origin and Habitat: Tropical Indo-Pacific: from the Red Sea and Mozambique to the Society Islands, north to southern Japan. Lives in colonies near massive corals or shaded rocky ledges down to 15 meters.

Taxonomy and Morphology: Member of the family Apogonidae. Features a laterally compressed body and large eyes adapted for low-light conditions. Reaches 8 cm in length.

Social Behavior: Peaceful and gregarious. Likes to form loose schools near coral shelters and dark crevices during daylight hours, moving slowly.

Coloration and Sexual Dimorphism: Silvery or iridescent bluish body, crossed longitudinally by 6 bright orange-gold or yellow stripes. Blue eyes. No sexual dimorphism.

Aquarium Setup: Requires a tank of at least 80 liters with live rock providing dark caves or crevices. Moderate water flow. Low risk of jumping.

Diet and Feeding: Carnivore. Feed fine frozen foods (mysis, brine shrimp, copepods). Can be trained to accept fine dry pellet foods. Feed twice daily.

Water Quality: Keep parameters stable. Temperature 24-27°C, pH 8.1-8.4, salinity SG 1.020-1.026. GH 15-25. Maintain low nitrate levels.

Compatibility and Cohabitation: 100% reef safe. Highly compatible with corals and marine invertebrates. Avoid hyperactive tankmates or medium-sized predators.

Aquarium Breeding: Paternal mouthbrooder. The male hosts the fertilized eggs in his oral cavity, fasting during the entire gestation period.

Risks and Diseases: Sensitive to biological swings in newly set-up aquariums. Risk of starvation under heavy feeding competition from fast fish.