Polka Dot Cardinalfish
From Microcosm Aquarium Explorer
A hardy but drably colored species. NOAA
[edit] Overview
Known to some marine aquarists as a "feeder cardinalfish," this species is very durable but usually fails to attract notice owing to its muted colors. In the wild, it feeds nocturnally and it will not be especially active during daylight hours in the aquarium.
Family: Apogonidae
Other common name(s):
- Orbiculate Cardinalfish
Native range:
Habitat: Near-shore shallow water, in mangrove swamps, rocky areas, under docks.
Maximum length: 10 cm (4 in)
Minimum aquarium size: 114 L (30 gal)
Water: Marine 24 °C (297 K, 75 °F) - 28 °C (301 K, 82 °F)
General swimming level: Mid-level.
[edit] Feeding
Carnivore. Feeds on planktonic meaty foods such as krill, brine shrimp, mysid shrimp.
[edit] Aquarium Compatibility
Grows larger than some aquarists expect, and it will eat small fishes and ornamental crustaceans.
[edit] Breeding/Propagation
Male broods eggs and fry in his buccal cavity.
| Common name | Polka Dot Cardinalfish +, and Orbiculate Cardinalfish + |
| Family | Apogonidae + |
| Genus | Sphaeramia + |
| Image credit | SWM + |
| Maximum length | 4 in + |
| Minimum aquarium size | 30 gal + |
| Native range | Indo-Pacific +, East Africa +, Palau +, Kiribati +, Japan +, and New Caledonia + |
| Specific name | orbicularis + |
| Swimming level | Mid-level. + |
| Water max temp | 301 K (28 °C, 82 °F) + |
| Water min temp | 297 K (24 °C, 75 °F) + |
| Water type | Marine + |