Threadfin Cardinalfish
From Microcosm Aquarium Explorer
Captive-bred specimens at Oceans Reefs and Aquariums (ORA), Florida. Matthew Wittenrich
[edit] Overview
Only sporadically available to aquarists in the past, this is a great display animal in a shallow- or deep-water reef aquarium and it is now captive bred and easier to find after ORA (Oceans, Reefs and Aquariums) pioneered its culturing.
They are found in dense aggregations in the wild, and shoals of this species can present a flowing, lovely sight in a large reef aquarium. Keep this species in groups of three or more, and offer color-enhancing foods to bring out the iridescent-blue highlights around their eyes and on their fins and flanks.
Family: Apogonidae
Other common name(s):
- Bluestreak Cardinalfish
- Blue-streak Cardinalfish
- Blue-eye Cardinalfish
- Longspine Cardinalfish
- Slendertail Cardinalfish
Native range:
Habitat: Found in areas with stony coral growth, rocky hiding places, and near Long-spined Sea Urchins, which they may use as a safe haven. In the aquarium, they need stony corals, caves, and other refuge sites in which to hide.
Maximum length: 6 cm (2 in)
Minimum aquarium size: 76 L (20 gal)
Water: Marine 23 °C (296 K, 73 °F) - 28 °C (301 K, 82 °F)
General swimming level: Mid-level
[edit] Feeding
Carnivore. Feed meaty foods, including marine fish and crustacean flesh, Mysis shrimp, and frozen reef preparations. Color-enhancing rations should be fed several times weekly. Feed once or twice a day.
[edit] Aquarium Compatibility
Mild-mannered and a welcome addition to a docile, fish-only tank or small-polyp stony coral aquarium. Keep in groups of three or more. Larger shoals are more natural.
[edit] Special Care
Wild-caught specimens often do not ship well and fail to survive the transition from reef to aquarium. Look for captive-bred specimens.
[edit] Breeding/Propagation
Mouthbrooder. Being propagated commercially at ORA and successfully by some amateur breeders.
Male mouthbroods the eggs, but larvae are planktonic and very small compared to those of the Banggai Cardinalfish. First foods may be small-strain live rotifers fed on phytoplankton or live copepods. See Wittenrich's The Complete Illustrated Breeder's Guide to Marine Aquarium Fishes.
[edit] Notes
May be picked on by more aggressive cardinalfishes.
| Common name | Threadfin Cardinalfish +, Bluestreak Cardinalfish +, Blue-streak Cardinalfish +, Blue-eye Cardinalfish +, Longspine Cardinalfish +, and Slendertail Cardinalfish + |
| Family | Apogonidae + |
| Genus | Apogon + |
| Image credit | MW + |
| Maximum length | 2 in + |
| Minimum aquarium size | 20 gal + |
| Native range | Indo-Pacific +, and Red Sea + |
| Reference | A PocketExpert Guide to Marine Fishes + |
| Specific name | leptacanthus + |
| Swimming level | Mid-level + |
| Text credit | SWM + |
| Water max temp | 301 K (28 °C, 82 °F) + |
| Water min temp | 296 K (23 °C, 73 °F) + |
| Water type | Marine + |