The average size of most Cardinalfish in captivity is two inches. These fish make great additions to a peaceful aquarium, adapting well to life in captivity. Extensive rockwork and coral decorations should be provided to enable the fish to retreat from other tankmates. These fish can be bred successfully in captivity, and the fry can be raised to adulthood with appropriate care.
Cardinalfish :
The Kaudern's Cardinal, also known as the Banggai Cardinalfish or Longfin Cardinalfish, is silver highlighted by black stripes and white spots on the body and long, elegant fins. These fish are bred in and reared in Indonesia and Asia and are hardier than their wild harvested counterparts.
A 30 gallon or larger aquarium with a cave and peaceful tank mates is ideal for this slow and methodical swimmer. Due to its aggressive behavior towards conspecifics, it should not be kept in large groups, though they do like to have a few other Cardinalfish around.
The Kaudern's Cardinal is relatively easy to breed in the aquarium setting. Once spawning has occurred, the male carries the eggs in his mouth to protect them.
The Kaudern's Cardinal should be fed a well balanced diet of meaty foods such as feeder shrimp, marine flesh,bloodworms, and depending on its size, live feeder fish.
Approximate Purchase Size: Small: 1/2" to 3/4" Medium: 7/8" to 1"
1-Kaudern's Cardinalfish
Pterapogon kauderni :
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 3"
Color Form: Black, White
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Captive-Bred - Asia
Family: Apogonidae
Banggai Cardinalfish Breeding :
How to determine the sex of Banggai cardinalfish
By Shane Graber - Posted Jul 06, 2012 10:00 AM
Courtesy to : www.advanced aquarist . com
Banggai cardinalfish, Pteragon kauderni, are the referred to as the "guppies" of the marine fish breeding world. However, determining their sex in order to form pairs is sometimes problematic.
An interesting thread popped up on the Marine Breeding Initiative's website this week: How to sex Banggai Cardinals (vent method). I thought this thread rather timely given the recent Kickstarter project, Banggai Rescue, in which a team of scientists will survey Banggai populations and learn more about this fish species.
This fish is considered by some to be the "guppy" of the saltwater breeding realm as the fish are born live and have shown the ability to start feeding on non-live foods like Top Dressed Otohime from APBreed. However, obtaining a pair is problematic as many people have trouble determining which fish is male and female. Mindy van Leur (username "EasterEggs" on the Marine Breeding Initiative's breeding forums) snapped a couple of great photos of male and female Banggais and gave instructions on how to determine their sex, which is great information for people trying to form pairs from larger groups of these fish. These are the best photos I have seen and has really cleared up what to look for when attempting to form a mated pair.
According to her method, she has a 100% success rate pairing fish. The thing stressed most is the fish need fedwell before attempting to determine their gender as the fish need very plump bellies otherwise the physical characteristics are not easily visible.
After feeding them well, look between the two pelvic / ventral fins and the lone anal fin. Either one or two white "vents," shaped like a cone or triangle, will extend away from the body. These vents are very small and are hard to discern without a plump belly. Males have two vents and females have only one. You may need to look for a bit but Mindy, backed up by a number of other MBI members, says this method has consistently produced pairs. One caveat is that females close to spawning may exhibit what looks like two vents due to the distention of the belly in that area making them look like males.
Here is what these vents look like in males and females:
Female Banggai cardinalfish (one vent):
A female Banggai cardinalfish. Note the single vent (circled green).
Male Banggai cardinalfish (two vents):
Male Banggai cardinalfish. Note the two vents (circled green).
Mindy and other have stated that following this method, they have a 100% success rate forming pairs. This method may not work very well at the LFS unless the store has fattened them prior to your evaluation.
If you are a Banggai breeder, what are your "tricks of the trade" for forming pairs? Do you follow Mindy's method or do you have an alternative method?
Breeding Bangaii Cardinalfish :
The Bangaii cardinalfish is easy to breed in aquariums. They are mouth brooders and form breeding pairs where the male carries the eggs. If you want to breed Bangaii Cardinalfish you should provide them with a lot of food and a good varied diet. You should also try to keep the water quality as high as possible and the environment in the aquarium stress free. Once a Bangaii Cardinalfish pair have started breeding they will usually continue to spawn regularly.
The Bangaii cardinalfish is aggressive during the breeding period. The male chases other fish away from the female until he takes the eggs in his mouth. At this point the roles become reversed and the female starts to chase away fish that comes to close to the male. The male carries the eggs in his mouth for 3-4 weeks without eating. He can often be seen moving the eggs around in his mouth.
Bangaii cardinalfish fry are relatively large when they are released and can be fed newly hatched brine shrimp right from the start. The fry are aggressive towards each other and it can be good to separate them into different tanks to make sure that all fry get enough food; otherwise the stronger Bangaii cardinalfish fry will chase the weaker fry away from the food and prevent them from getting enough food. Bangaii cardinalfish fry grow fast and are easy to raise as long as you make sure they get enough food. If you don't separate them into different holding areas you can expect a mortality rate around 30-50% for the fry.
Additional Information :
Common name: Bangaii Cardinalfish
Scientific name: Sphaeramia nematoptera
Max size: 3 in / 7.5 cm
pH: 8.1-8.4
Salinity: 1.020-1.025
Temperature: 72-78ºF (22-26°C)
The Bangaii cardinalfish is a fairly new addition to the hobby. It has only been available in the trade since 1995 but has become a very popular fish. In the wild, this species has a very limited distribution and is becoming increasingly endangered due to collection for the aquarium trade, so you should by aquarium bred Bangaii cardinalfish whenever possible. This is also a good reason to try to breed your Bangaii cardinalfish.
The Bangaii cardinalfish is very suitable for beginners; it is hardy, friendly, readily available and cheap. It is even possible for marine beginners with freshwater experience to successfully breed the species. The Bangaii cardinalfish will tolerate less than ideal conditions but you should still strive to give them the best environment possible.
The Bangaii cardinalfish is suitable for community aquariums with other friendly species. You should never keep them with predatory fish or aggressive fish such as angels and triggers. The Bangaii cardinalfish is not 100% reef save as they will eat small ornamental shrimps and other small invertebrates, but they never bother coral, anemones and gorgonians.
The Bangaii cardinalfish originates from the Banggai Islands in Indonesia. It is not found anywhere else.
- Bangaii Cardinalfish care and aquarium setup :
Bangaii Cardinalfish is best kept in an aquarium that is no smaller than 30 gallon /120 L (a single specimen can be kept in a 20 gallon / 80 L tank). I recommend a larger aquarium if you want to keep a larger school of them.
The aquarium should be decorated with overhangs and caves, and the overhangs should be large enough for all your Bangaii cardinalfish to spend the days in the shade under them. The fishes will also appreciate sea grass to hide among. In the wild, this species is often found hiding among the spines of sea urchins and they love if you can mimic these sea urchin spines in the aquarium. This is however not necessary to keep them. You can use whatever bottom substrate you see fit. Corals and anemones can be included in the decoration.
The Bangaii Cardinalfish prefers a softer lit aquarium that is well circulated.
Ideal conditions for the Bangaii Cardinalfish is pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.020-1.025, and temperature 72-78ºF (22-26°C).
Additional information :
Common name: Pajama Cardinalfish, Polka-dot Cardinalfish, Spotted Cardinalfish
Scientific name: Sphaeramia nematoptera
Max size: 3 in / 7.5 cm
pH: 8.1-8.4
Salinity: 1.020-1.025
Temperature: 72-78ºF (22-26°C)
The Pajama Cardinalfish is a rainbow of playful colors. It has a greenish-yellow face, bright orange eyes, and a silver-based body dressed with a bold black scalar margin and a posterior dotted with orange polka-dots. Though its bold coloration may stand out, Sphaeramia nematopterahas a peaceful nature that lets it blend perfectly into any community saltwater aquarium.
For the best care, the Pajama Cardinalfish should be kept in small schools in suitably sized aquariums of at least 30 gallons. Because the Pajama Cardinalfish is a slow and methodical swimmer, it should be housed with peaceful tankmates and offered a plethora of hiding places amongst rockwork or plants. Most Pajama Cardinalfish will tend to hide in sea grass or other plants. Some may also camouflage themselves against long spined sea urchins.
Like many other schooling fish, the Pajama Cardinalfish will form a strict hierarchy when kept in small groups within the aquarium. However, unlike some social fish, this member of the Apogonidae family does not use aggression to exert dominance over other cardinalfish.
The Pajama Cardinalfish requires a well balanced diet of meaty foods such as feeder shrimp, flake foods, pellet foods, marine flesh, bloodworms, and depending on its size, live feeder fish.
Approximate Purchase Size: Small: 3/4" to 1-1/4" Medium: 1-1/4" to 2-1/4"
2-Pajama Cardinalfish
Sphaeramia nematoptera
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 3½"
Color Form: Green, White
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Fiji, Indonesia, Sri Lanka
Family: Apogonidae
The Pajama cardinalfish is a very hardy fish and one of the best choices for a beginner who wants to start keeping tropical marine fish. They are very forgiving and can tolerate less than perfect conditions and might even spawn in the aquarium even if you aren't an expert. The Pajama cardinalfish is also cheap and readily available in most stores selling marine fish, including online stores. All this adds up to making it a perfect beginner fish.
The Pajama cardinalfish is a friendly species that can be kept in a community aquarium with other peaceful tropical marine fish species. They should never be kept with large or aggressive species. The Pajama cardinalfish is reef safe but not invertebrate safe meaning that it will leave corals etc alone but might eat small ornamental shrimp and other mobile invertebrates.
The pajama cardinalfish originates from the western part of the Pacific Ocean. It can be found from Java eastwards to Fiji. The northern distribution limit is the Ryukyu Islands of Japan and the southern limit is the Great Barrier Reef.
- Pajama Cardinalfish care and aquarium setup :
The Pajama cardinalfish should not be kept in an aquarium smaller than 30 gallon /120 L. A larger aquarium is recommended if you want to keep a large school. The aquarium should be decorated with a lot of hiding places and it is good if there are a few overhangs large enough for the Pajama cardinalfish group to hide under during the day. They appreciate patches of sea grass. In the wild they often hide among the spines on sea urchins and they love if you can decorate a small area in the aquarium to mimic se urchin spines. You can use whatever bottom substrate you see fit.
The pajama cardinalfish prefers a softer lit aquarium.
Ideal conditions for the Pajama cardinalfish is pH 8.1-8.4, salinity 1.020-1.025, and temperature 72-78ºF (22-26°C).
-Feeding Pajama Cardinalfish :
The Pajama cardinalfish is easy to feed as they will accept most foods, including flake food. It is important to give them a varied diet that contains all the nutrients they need. To this end you should feed them a varied diet containing frozen food, flake food and finely chopped sea food. The Pajama cardinalfish appreciates to be fed live food every now and then. Feed your fish 2-3 times a day.
- Breeding Pajama Cardinalfish :
Sexing the Pajama cardinalfish is hard but males usually have a longer secondary dorsal fin than females and the females have somewhat rounder bodies than males.
The Pajama cardinalfish can be breed in aquariums and are relatively easy to breed. Once a Pajama cardinalfish pair have started breading they will breed regularly and often. The species is a mouth brooder and the male carries the eggs. The Pajama cardinalfish pair will be very aggressive during the spawning period. The male will protect the female until he takes the eggs in his mouth, after that the female will protect the male and chase away other fish. The male carries the eggs and fry in his mouth for about 3-4 weeks. He doesn't eat during this period.
Pajama cardinalfish fry are large and can eat newly hatched brine shrimp as soon as they are released. The fry are aggressive and more aggressive fry will force weaker fry away from the food. It can be a good idea to separate aggressive and non aggressive fry into different aquariums if you want a higher survival rate. The fry grow rather fast and is not as sensitive as many other marine fish fry.
5-Flame Cardinalfish
(Apogon spp.)
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Aggressive
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 4"
Color Form: Red
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Caribbean, Costa Rica
Family: Apogonidae
The Captive-Bred Longspine Cardinalfish comes from the reefs of the Indian Ocean, and has a long slender shape and is mostly transparent in color. The transparent color is offset by many markings and spots of both iridescent blue and yellow. The Large black eyes of this fish are outlined in iridescent blue like the markings on both the fins and body. The Captive-Bred Longspine Cardinalfish has a unique advantage over wild-harvested species. They are hardier and more accustomed to conditions found in home aquariums. Therefore, it makes a great choice for novices and seasoned aquarists alike.
A 10-gallon or larger aquarium with a cave and peaceful tank mates is suitable for this slow and methodical swimmer. It tends to hide in sea grass or other plants, or may use long spined urchins for camouflage. If a larger aquarium is available, it will handle a small group of this species. As a group, they will establish a strict hierarchy without aggressiveness.
The Captive-Bred Longspine Cardinalfish requires a well-balanced diet of meaty foods such as feeder shrimp, flake foods, pellet foods, marine flesh, bloodworms, and depending on its size, live feeder fish.
Approximate Purchase Size: Small: 1" to 2"; Medium: 2" to 3"
3-Longspine Cardinalfish
Zoramia leptacantha
Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.022-1.025
Max. Size: 2½"
Color Form: Blue, Clear, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Captive-Bred
Family: Apogonidae
The Captive-Bred Yellowstriped Cardinalfish comes from the reefs of Fiji or Indonesia. They have a long slender shape and are an orange/red with gold color. The large black and yellow eye are offset by a black spot near the tail which confuses possible predators which way the fish is facing.
The Captive-Bred Yellowstriped Cardinalfish has a unique advantage over wild-harvested species. They are hardier and more accustomed to conditions found in home aquariums. Therefore, it makes a great choice for novices and seasoned aquarists alike.
A 10-gallon or larger aquarium with a cave and peaceful tank mates is suitable for this slow and methodical swimmer. It tends to hide in sea grass or other plants, or may use long spined urchins for camouflage. If a larger aquarium is available, it will handle a small group of this species. As a group, they will establish a strict hierarchy without aggressiveness.
The Captive-Bred Yellowstriped Cardinalfish requires a well-balanced diet of meaty foods such as feeder shrimp, flake foods, pellet foods, marine flesh, bloodworms, and depending on its size, live feeder fish.
Approximate Purchase Size: Small: 3/4" to 1-1/2"; Medium: 1-1/2" to 2"; Large: 2" to 2-1/2"
4-Yellowstriped Cardinalfish
Ostorhinchus cyanosoma
Minimum Tank Size: 10 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 2½"
Color Form: Black, Orange, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Captive-Bred
Family: Apogonidae
The Flame Cardinalfish, also known as the Flamefish, is fiery red with light accents of blue and green.
A 30 gallon or larger aquarium with caves and peaceful tank mates is a good environment for this slow and methodical swimmer. It should not be kept in large groups because of its aggressive behavior towards other Cardinalfish, although it does well in mated pairs. It is a nocturnal fish and may be watched using a red light.
The Flame Cardinalfish requires a well-balanced and vitamin-enriched diet of meaty foods such as feeder shrimp, marine flesh, bloodworms, and depending on its size, live feeder fish.
Approximate Purchase Size: Small: 1" to 2"; Medium: 2" to 3"; Large: 3" to 4"
6-Fowleria Cardinalfish
(Fowleria isostigma)
Minimum Tank Size: 30 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 3½"
Color Form: Orange, Red
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Indonesia, Vanuatu
Family: Apogonidae
The Fowleria Cardinalfish is a small laterally compressed species that is orange to red in coloration with a red or yellow tail. The gill plate of this species is adorned with a black eye spot that the fish uses to confuse would be predators. A few members of the Fowleria genus mimic small scorpionfish in the wild. It is possible that this species may do the same. The Redtail Cardinalfish is a very peaceful, schooling fish that will make a wonderful addition to any peaceful marine aquarium.
A 30-gallon or larger aquarium with a cave and peaceful tank mates is suitable for this slow and methodical swimmer. It tends to hide in sea grass or may use long spined urchins for camouflage. If a larger aquarium is available, it will handle a small group of this species. As a group, they will establish a strict hierarchy without aggressiveness.
The Redtail Cardinalfish requires a well balanced diet of meaty foods such as frozen brine or mysis shrimp, flake foods, pellet foods, and bloodworms.
Approximate Purchase Size: Small: 3/4" to 1-1/4"; Medium,: 1-1/4" to 2"; Large: 2" to 3"
7- Ochrestriped Cardinalfish
(Ostorhinchus compressus)
Minimum Tank Size: 55 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Peaceful
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 4½"
Color Form: Blue, Orange, Red, Tan
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Indonesia, Sumatra
Family: Apogonidae
The Ochrestriped Cardinalfish comes from the reefs of Fiji or Indonesia. They have a long slender shape and are an ochre-red with gold color. The large black and blue eyes are offset by a black spot near the tail which confuses possible predators which way the fish is facing.
A 55-gallon or larger aquarium with a cave and peaceful tank mates is suitable for this slow and methodical swimmer. It tends to hide in sea grass or other plants, or may use long spined urchins for camouflage. If a larger aquarium is available, it will handle a small group of this species. As a group, they will establish a strict hierarchy without aggressiveness.
The Ochrestriped Cardinalfish requires a well-balanced diet of prepared carnivore foods along with feeder shrimp, flake foods, pellet foods, vitamin-enriched mysis and brine shrimp and depending on its size, live feeder fish.
Approximate Purchase Size: Small 1-1/4" to 2"; Medium 2" to 3"; Large 3" to 4"
8- Five Lined Cardinalfish
Cheilodipterus quinquelineatus
Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons
Care Level: Easy
Temperament: Semi-aggressive
Reef Compatible: Yes
Water Conditions: 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025
Max. Size: 5"
Color Form: Black, Silver, Yellow
Diet: Carnivore
Compatibility: View Chart
Origin: Fiji
Family: Apogonidae
The Five Lined Cardinalfish, also known as the Toothed Cardinalfish, comes from the reef flats, lagoons, and seaward reefs of Fiji. They have a long slender shape and are an iridescent silver color. The large black striped eyes are offset by a bright yellow and black spot near the tail which confuses possible predators which way the fish is facing.
A 50-gallon or larger aquarium with a cave and peaceful tank mates is suitable for this slow and methodical swimmer. It tends to hide in sea grass or other plants, or may use long spined urchins (Diadema setosum) for camouflage. If a 6 foot aquarium is available, it will handle a small group of this species. As a group, they will establish a strict hierarchy without aggressiveness.
In the wild, the Five Lined Cardinalfish diet includes benth crustaceans, zoobenthos, different kinds of mobile invertebrates and small fishes. In the home aquarium, serve a well-balanced diet of meaty foods such as feeder shrimp, flake foods, pellet foods, marine flesh,bloodworms, and depending on its size, live feeder fish.
Approximate Purchase Size: Small: 3/4" to 1"; Medium: 1" to 2"; Large: 2" to 3"
