Ostorhinchus aureus

Download Reef App on Google Play or App Store
Get it on Google Play Get it on App Store
Facts
Latin name Ostorhinchus aureus - (Lacepède, 1802)
Local name Ring-tailed cardinalfish
Family Apogonidae - Ostorhinchus
Origin East Indian Ocean, West Indian Ocean, Australia, Japan, The Red Sea, Indonesia
Max length 14 cm (5.5")
As aquarium fish
Minimum volume 150 l (40 gal)
Hardiness Average
Suitable for aquarium Suitable for most aquarium
Reef safe Reef safe with caution
Aggressiveness Peaceful
Feed
Recommended Small crustaceans (Krill, mysis, artemia...)
Zooplankton (Cyclops, pods...)
Maybee Fish
Larger crustaceans (Shrimp, crabs...)
Beware of
Grows fast

This species grows very quickly if fed well.

Can be a threat to small fish

This spicies might be a threat to smaller fishes.

Threat towards crustaceans

This species poses a threat towards shrimps and crabs etc., which are relatively small.

Keep in mind
Hiding places

This species needs good hiding places, for example, between live rocks.

Number of fish

This species can live with many of its own kind, when provided with enough space.

Nocturnal

This species is nocturnal and therefore the most active when the light is dimmed or turned off.

Descriptions and further reading
Description

Also known as Apogon aureus.

Family description (Apogonidae)

Cardinalfish come in many different shapes and colours, generally they are well suited for aquaria.

Cardinalfish have a large mouth and a big appetite, take this into account with feeding  the other fish. These fish typically live off of Artemia, Mysis and krill. In the aquarium they will eat anything they can.

They will sometimes eat small shrimps and fish, so do be aware of this, but it is not normally a problem.

It is possible to keep several species together, if space allows. Some species will form  small shoals. They are normally peaceful towards other fish, but will sometimes fight among themselves if there isn't sufficient space or food.

Many species are nocturnal and will therefore often seek a hiding place during the day. This can be between stones, SPS corals and, in some cases, in an anemone and between spines of Sea urchins.

Cardinalfish are a good choice if ones wishes to attempt to start a breeding tank.

FishBase
Aquarium trade Yes
Distribution Indo-West Pacific: Red Sea and East Africa to Papua New Guinea, north to Miyakejima, Japan (Ref. 559), south to Australia and New Caledonia (Ref. 2142).
English common names Golden cardinalfish
Ringtail cardinalfish
Ring-tailed cardinalfish
French common names Apogon doré
Danish common names Ringhalet kardinalfisk
References and further reading

About references

Scott W. Michael. 2001. Basslets, Dottybacks & Hawkfishes: v. 2 (Reef Fishes) - TFH Publications / Microcosm Ltd. - (English)
Bob Fenner. Cardinalfishes, Family Apogonidae, Pt. 1Pt. 2 - Wet Web Media - (English)