Common names for the yellow-striped cardinalfish include golden-striped cardinalfish, orange-lined cardinalfish and striped cardinal.
In the wild these fish are typically found in small shoals that allow the fish to make the most of their pin-stripe pattern to help protect them from predators. They use the stripes and the false eye-spot on their tails to confuse any potential predators.
These stunning little fish is an ideal candidate for smaller tanks & larger tanks alike. They are happy to be kept singularly, in small groups or in a large shoal. They will not bother any of your other inhabitants and should be considered reef safe.
You may have noticed the large eyes these fish have, this is because they are nocturnal. This doesn’t mean they will only come out at night, mine are out all through the day, but they are also out and active after dark.
Tank Requirements & Facts
- Minimum tank size: 26 Gallon (100 Litres)
- Prone to disease: No, they are considered very hardy
- Beginner Compatible: Yes
- Adult Size: 3.1 inches (8cm)
- Reef Compatible: Yes. Have been known to bother some small crustaceans though
- Predator Tank Compatible: Absolutely not
- Care Level: Very easy
- pH: 8.1 to 8.4
- Temperature: 24°C to 28°C
- Preferred Tank Level: All over
- Lots of hiding places required
- Number to a tank: Any suitable for your tanks bio-load
Feeding
- These are carnivores
- They are fast eaters, ensure you are feeding enough for the entire tank and not just these fast little fish
- Live foods, frozen foods and flake will all be appreciated.
Acclimatisation
Place your fish in the bucket and then drip acclimate for about 45 minutes at a rate of 3 drips per second. This should bring the fishes water parameters in line with your tanks parameters.
Once your fish has been drip acclimated, catch the fish with a net and place it gently into your tank. Do not put any of the water the fish originally came in, into your tank.
Will Striped Cardinals suit my tank?
These active little fish will suit most home aquariums. They are easy to keep and happy to be kept in various numbers. They look particularly stunning as a small shoal in a large aquarium and at the moment, they are relatively inexpensive to buy.
If you have a particularly shy fish, these fish could help give him or her a bit of confidence to come out of hiding. They are considered great dither fish and very rarely hide away.
They will not suit any predator tank, they do not grow big enough and will likely become a snack for the more aggressive fish.