Cardinalfish ID?

GraviT

Member
I picked up 3 cardinalfish in a trade with a local reefer that were supposed to be Candy Stripe. However, once I got them home and acclimated, I realized that they look little to nothing like the few pictures I can find of this type of cardinal.

Of course, now I feel silly because I researched the care and needs of the Candy Stripe, but have no idea what I wound up with! They're very timid and two of the three hang out together while the other one seems to be a bit of a loner. Perhaps this is a sign that two of them have paired up?

I thought they might be Ochre Cardinalfish, but they lack the characteristic blue eyes. Any ideas?

unk_cardinal.jpg
 
I used to have these, they are great little fish. Unfortunatly, they spit out pelagic larvae:( When mine were breeding, I managed to get the fry to day 8.
 
I think your edit is right - Cyanosoma doesn't have the circles down the side.

At any rate, most of the Apogon species should be pretty similar in terms of care - fairly hardy once they're acclimated, all are carnivorous and will eat any crustacean that will fit in their mouths. They may hide out in the rockwork during the day, but many will get more adventurous when they realize there's nothing in there that's going to try to eat them.

One thing that does vary is their tolerance of one another - some do well in groups, others don't.

Most do spit palegic larvae - the Kaudern's is the only one I'm aware of that brood young in their mouths for any length of time after hatch. Mind, I'm no expert, I've just read a lot about this family of fish.
 
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