Ostorhinchus notatus (Spotnape cardinalfish)

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Facts

Latin name	Ostorhinchus notatus - (Houttuyn, 1782)
Local name	Spotnape cardinalfish
Family	Apogonidae - Ostorhinchus
Origin	Australia, Japan, Indonesia, New Zealand, Central/West Pacific
Max length	10 cm (3.9")

As aquarium fish

Minimum volume	150 l (40 gal)
Hardiness	Average
Suitable for aquarium	Suitable for most aquarium
Reef safe	Always reef safe
Aggressiveness	Peaceful

Feed

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

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.

Cool water

This species lives in water colder than is the norm for a marine aquarium.

The temperature should be between 18 and 24 °C (64 and 75 °F).

Requires a varied diet

This species must be fed with an appropriately varied diet.

Singly or in a group

This fish can live on their own or in a group.

Hiding places

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

Nocturnal

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

Formerly classified as Apogon

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

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	Western Pacific: southern Japan south to the Coral Sea.
English common names	Spotnape cardinalfish

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)