Bridled Cardinalfish (Apogon fraenatus)
Fish in the family Apogonidae. Moderate care. Reef Safe.
Quick facts
Appearance
A small, stocky cardinalfish with a dark reddish-brown to olive body and two distinctive white or pale bands (stripes) crossing the head and gill area, giving it its "bridled" appearance. The body is robust and slightly compressed, with a large mouth typical of apogonids, and the overall coloration may vary from brownish-red to orange-red depending on lighting and mood.
Diet and feeding
Primarily a nocturnal planktivore and micro-predator in the wild. In captivity, feed high-quality frozen foods such as mysis shrimp, copepods, and small frozen zooplankton. Multiple small feedings per day are recommended, as these fish have small mouths and prefer to feed on small particles.
Difficulty and care for the Bridled Cardinalfish
Bridled Cardinalfish are moderately hardy and suitable for established reef tanks with stable conditions. They require dim lighting and plenty of hiding places, and can be sensitive to water quality fluctuations and aggressive tankmates.
Common health issues
Marine ich, Fin rot, Swim bladder disorder, Bacterial infections, Fungal infections
Origin and habitat
Indo-Pacific from the Red Sea and East Africa to the Hawaiian Islands and French Polynesia, typically found in sheltered reefs and lagoons at depths of 5–50 meters.
Log Bridled Cardinalfish in your reef tank
Reef Trak gives you the full record on every species in your tank: acquisition date, source, photos, parameters at time of stocking, and links to maintenance and feeding events. Track Bridled Cardinalfish alongside everything else in your reef.
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