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Fish Guide |  |
Family: Apogonidae (Cardinalfish)
Natural Range: Caribbean and Atlantic Ocean
Depth: 3 to 417 ft. Size: 4 in. Jumps: Not likely Space: 30+ gal.
Reef Safe: Yes Care Level: Easy Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Plankton, shrimp larvae, copepods, crabs, isopods, amphipods, bristleworms
Natural History: The Flame Cardinal is found in a variety of reef zones from flats of macroalgae to reef slopes and dropoffs. It is also found at the reef crest, a zone of high wave energy. It is solitary and spends the day hiding around cracks and crevices in the reef. It forages over the sand at night.
Husbandry: Without a varied aquarium diet, the Flame Cardinal colors are likely to fade. They are territorial and will defend their hiding place against other cardinalfish, so they should be housed singly in a community tank. It will also likely harass other cardinalfish species.
AKA: Flamefish