Threadfin Cardinalfish, Longspine Cardinalfish

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You are here: Home » Fish » Cardinals » Threadfin Cardinalfish

Threadfin Cardinalfish

Scientific Name

Apogon leptacanthus

Reef Compatible

Yes

Care Level

Beginner

Disposition

Peaceful

Min. Tank Size

10 gallons

Mature Size

2.5 inches

Diet

Carnivore

Range

Indo-Pacific, Fiji

Size Class

view chart

Curator's Note

One of the amazing aspects of this fish is that they have been known spawn in captivity. It is difficult to tell male from female unless the male is holding fry in its mouth. Cardinalfish are mouth brooders and for several weeks a male cardinal will not eat while it is carrying babies. Swelling in the jaw, lack of appetite are obvious signs. If you watch closely, you may even see little eyeballs staring out when he aerates the eggs with water. Most of the fry might not survive, especially if in a densely populated aquarium.

Other Common Names

Longspine Cardinalfish, Glass Cardinalfish

Description

Not frequently available as many of the other Cardinalfish species, the Threadfin Cardinalfish was first spotted in the aquariums of Japanese hobbyists in schools. Their metallic blue, gold, yellow, green and other translucent rainbow colors will make this fish stand out under home aquarium lighting. Like the other Cardinalfish, it is hardy and an easy fish for the beginning aquarist to maintain.

Cardinals frequently are nocturnal by nature and will spend most of their time in the shadier areas of the aquarium and will come out after dark. They will learn to adjust to the brighter lit aquarium in time. Threadfin cardinals will live peacefully in schools in larger aquariums providing they are all introduced at the same time and will live peacefully with other non-aggressive fish.

Diet

Feed frozen small meaty foods or finely chopped prepared foods. Cardinalfish eat small fishes and mobile crustaceans in the wild. If your Cardinalfish appears to not eat, try feeding after the aquarium lights turn off. Many Cardinalfish have nocturnal tendencies and will prefer to be fed after the lights go out in the aquarium.