Intermediate Cardinalfish (Cheilodipterus intermedius)
Fish in the family Apogonidae. Moderate care. Reef Safe.
Quick facts
Appearance
The Intermediate Cardinalfish is a small, slender fish with a distinctive bicolored pattern: the head and anterior body are reddish-orange, while the posterior body and tail are pale to whitish. It has large eyes adapted for low-light reef environments and a slightly compressed body typical of cardinalfish.
Diet and feeding
Feed small frozen foods such as mysis shrimp, brine shrimp, and small copepods. Offer 2-3 times daily in portions appropriate to the fish's small mouth size.
Difficulty and care for the Intermediate Cardinalfish
Moderate difficulty. Intermediate Cardinalfish are hardy once acclimated but require subdued lighting, hiding places, and careful feeding with small prey items. They are sensitive to copper and rapid water parameter changes.
Common health issues
Ich, fin rot, poor appetite in bright lighting
Origin and habitat
Indo-Pacific region from the Red Sea and East Africa eastward through the Indian Ocean to the Pacific, found in reef environments throughout this range.
Log Intermediate 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 Intermediate Cardinalfish alongside everything else in your reef.
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