Ostorhinchus moluccensis

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Facts

Latin name	Ostorhinchus moluccensis - (Valenciennes, 1832)
Local name	Moluccan cardinalfish
Family	Apogonidae - Ostorhinchus
Origin	East Indian Ocean, Australia, Indonesia, Central/West Pacific
Max length	9 cm (3.5")

As aquarium fish

Minimum volume	100 l (26 gal)
Hardiness	Average
Suitable for aquarium	Suitable for most aquarium
Reef safe	Always reef safe
Aggressiveness	Peaceful

Feed

Recommended	Small crustaceans (Krill, mysis, artemia...) Zooplankton (Cyclops, pods...)
Maybee	Larger crustaceans (Shrimp, crabs...)

Beware of

Can be a threat towards small crustaceans

This species can be a threat towards small crustaceans, e.g. small shrimp.

Keep in mind

Hiding places

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

Hides itself amongst anemones

This species can sometimes be found hiding between anemones or similar.

Formerly classified as Apogon

Species are sometimes reclassified. This species was formerly classified as a member of the Apogon genus.

Can coexist with its own species

Several specimen of this species can coexist in the same aquarium, provided they are introduced simultaneously.

Descriptions and further reading

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

Distribution	Indo-Pacific: South Africa and India eastward to Fiji; north to Taiwan, south to Australia.
English common names	Yellow-eye cardinalfish Moluccan cardinalfish Moluccen cardinalfish
Danish common names	Bugstribet 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. 1, Pt. 2 - Wet Web Media - (English)