Five Lined Cardinalfish

General information

The Five Lined Cardinalfish is a small saltwater fish that can reach a maximum size of 10 cm (4 inches). They are generally peaceful and can be kept in groups of 6 or more in aquariums of at least 50 gallons. They are hardy fish that can adapt to a variety of water conditions, but they prefer a temperature range of 72-78°F and a pH range of 8.1-8.4.

In the wild, the Five Lined Cardinalfish feeds on small crustaceans and zooplankton. In an aquarium, they can be fed a diet of frozen or live brine shrimp, mysis shrimp, and other small meaty foods. They should be fed small meals several times a day.

There is no noticeable difference in appearance between males and females.

Five Lined Cardinalfish are egg layers and will spawn in captivity, but breeding them can be challenging. A separate breeding tank with a temperature range of 78-82°F and low lighting is recommended. The eggs will hatch in about 3-4 days, and the fry should be fed small live foods such as rotifers and brine shrimp nauplii.

Five Lined Cardinalfish are generally hardy fish and are not prone to any specific diseases. However, like all fish, they are susceptible to parasites and bacterial infections. Quarantining new fish before adding them to an established tank can help prevent the spread of disease.

Five Lined Cardinalfish are found in the western Pacific Ocean, from Indonesia to the Philippines.

Five Lined Cardinalfish are generally peaceful and can be kept with other peaceful fish. However, they may become aggressive towards other cardinalfish of the same species or other fish that are similar in appearance.

It is important to acclimate Five Lined Cardinalfish slowly to their new environment to prevent stress and shock. The drip acclimation method is recommended, where water from the aquarium is slowly dripped into the bag containing the fish over a period of several hours.