Overview

Scientific name: Sphaeramia nematoptera, Pterapogon kauderni, Apogon maculatus, Apogonichthyoides melas, Apogon pseudomaculatus, Zoramia leptachantha, Apogon cyanosoma, Apogon parvulus

Cardinalfish have two distinct dorsal fins and can be found around the world. These slower-moving nocturnal fish make excellent additions to large community aquariums. Most species are recommended for beginning marine aquarists.

Typical appearance and behavior

Some peaceful species may be kept in small groups; different species should not be mixed

Although nocturnal (active at night), cardinalfish can become used to daytime feeding and activity

May become aggressive toward individuals of the same species; should be kept in groups of five or more
Some species are mouth brooders and have been successfully bred by aquarists

Characteristics

Care Difficulty:	Easy
Average Life Span:	Up to 15 years with proper care, depending on species
Average Adult Size:	1-9+ inches long, depending on species
Diet:	Carnivore
Minimum Habitat Size:	5+ gallons for a single cardinalfish, depending on species
Water Temperature:	74-80°F
Specific Gravity:	1.020-1.025

Habitat

Habitat size

Water health - Provide proper filtration to ensure optimal water quality to help maintain health. Slow to moderate water circulation, based on species, should be provided to mimic water currents found in the cardinal's natural habitat. Stable water quality (pH, ammonia, nitrate, nitrite) and water temperature are critical to the health of aquatic life. If you are unsure of your water quality, bring a sample to Petco for free testing. The addition of a protein skimmer can aid with maintaining great water quality and high dissolved oxygen levels. An aquatic heater should be used to stabilize water temperature, ensuring it does not fluctuate more than +/-2 degrees in a 24-hour period. The specific gravity should remain stable. Do not allow specific gravity to fluctuate more than +/-0.001 in a 24-hour period.
Décor - Provide rock and décor for hiding places and plenty of room for movement

Feeding

What to feed your cardinalfish

A well-balanced cardinalfish diet consists of:

Flakes, pellets, freeze-dried and frozen food
A varied diet will help to ensure proper nutritional balance

Things to remember when feeding your cardinalfish:

Depending on species and size, feed small amounts two to three times daily, no more than fish will eat in 1 to 2 minutes
Thaw frozen food before feeding

Cardinalfish care

Water care: Maintaining great water quality with regular water changes and adequate filtration is important to help keep your cardinals healthy
- Daily: Check filter, water temperature and other equipment
- Weekly: Test water quality at least once a week
- Weekly to monthly: Change 10 to 25% of the total volume of water every two to four weeks, or as needed. Change filter media monthly
Avoid overcrowded conditions, as this is a major cause of stress and disease. Maintain good water quality with regular water changes and adequate filtration

Please Note: Due to variations within species, your item may not look identical to the image provided. Approximate size range may also vary between individual specimen.

Banggai Cardinal Fish - (Sphaeramia nematoptera)

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