Ostorhinchus aureus (Ring-tailed cardinalfish)

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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...)

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.

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.

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. 1, Pt. 2 - Wet Web Media - (English)