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Pajama Cardinalfish
Sphaeramia nematoptera
Animalia›Chordata›Actinopterygii›Apogonidae
📍 Indo-Pacific — Indonesia to Fiji
Unmistakable with its yellow head, dark mid-band and polka-dotted orange rear — like a fish in pyjamas. Nocturnal schooler that hovers in groups near branching corals. Very peaceful and reef-safe.
Care Guide
Diet
Pajama Cardinalfish are carnivorous and require a diet of small meaty foods. Feed frozen mysis shrimp, copepods, and small frozen foods once daily in small portions. They may also accept high-quality carnivore pellets, but live or frozen foods should form the bulk of their diet.
Behavior
Nocturnal schoolers that remain hidden during the day and become active at dusk, hovering near branching corals and rockwork. They are extremely peaceful and non-aggressive, making them ideal for reef aquariums. They exhibit natural schooling behavior and should be kept in groups of at least 3 individuals for optimal comfort and security.
Breeding
Breeding in captivity is extremely rare and difficult. They are mouthbrooding fish that require very specific conditions including low light, stable parameters, and minimal disturbance. Most captive specimens are wild-caught, and successful breeding has not been reliably documented in home aquariums.
Tank Mates
Similar peaceful temperament and reef-safe behavior; compatible water parameters
Peaceful invertebrate that occupies different ecological niche; reef-safe
Non-aggressive and beneficial; may help with parasites on cardinalfish
Peaceful invertebrate with similar reef-safe requirements
Small, peaceful fish with compatible nocturnal/crepuscular activity patterns
Similar species but may compete for food and space; monitor for aggression
Common Diseases
Ich (Cryptocaryon irritans)
White spots on body and fins, rapid breathing, flashing against surfaces
Raise temperature to 26-28°C, maintain excellent water quality, use copper-free treatments or hyposalinity if in quarantine
Bacterial Infections
Torn fins, lesions on body, cloudy eyes, lethargy
Improve water quality, perform partial water changes, use antibiotic medications if severe
Parasitic Infections
Excessive scratching, weight loss, visible parasites, labored breathing
Quarantine affected fish, use copper treatments or formalin baths as appropriate; maintain pristine water conditions
Stress-Related Illness
Loss of appetite, fading coloration, hiding excessively, weakened immunity
Reduce stressors, maintain stable parameters, ensure adequate hiding spots and group mates, provide quality nutrition
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Quick Facts
- pH
- 8.1–8.4
- diet
- carnivore — mysis, copepods
- maxSize
- 3 inches
- minTankSize
- 20 gallons
- temperature
- 73–82°F (23–28°C)
Temperature
73–82°F
23–28°C