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GET MORE INFORMATION ON CARDINAL FISHES - SEE BELOW
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Cardinal fishes are a family, Apogonidae, of ray-finned fishes. They are found in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific oceans, they are chiefly marine, but some species are found in brackish water. A handful of species are kept in the aquarium and are popular as small, peaceful fish.
The Ochre-striped Cardinalfish is recognised by its blue eyes and by its colour pattern. This species usually has 3-4 dark spots on the base of the tail fin and six red-brown stripes on the side of the body, the one behind the eye splits into two branches.
The Threadfin Cardinalfish, also known as the Longspine Cardinalfish, Bluestreak Cardinalfish or Slendertail Cardinalfish comes from the reefs of the Indo-Pacific, 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 the Threadfin Cardinalfish are outlined in iridescent blue like the markings on both the fins and body.
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 other plants, or may use long-spined urchins for camouflage. If a larger aquarium is available, it will handle a small group of Threadfin Cardinal fish. As a group, they will establish a strict hierarchy without aggressiveness.
The Threadfin Cardinal fish 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.
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Cardinal fish are associated with coral reefs, are generally found in groups, and are mouth breeders.
The Bangaii cardinal fish has a fascinating story. Unlike most marine fish, this species produces a very small number of eggs, which the males incubate in their mouths. After hatching, the embryos remain in the parent's mouth until they complete their development.
The Ochre-striped Cardinalfish grows to 12cm in length. It is recorded from much of the Western Pacific. In Australia it has been recorded from Rowley Shoals, Western Australia and from the northern Great Barrier Reef. This species is usually seen in small groups in branching corals at depths of 2-20m.