Five Lined Cardinalfish
Cheilodipterus quinquelineatus
Saltwater Fish
Species Group: Cardinalfish
Family: Apogonidae
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Water parameters
Temp
76-80 F
Temperature
Maintaining a stable and appropriate temperature is critical for the survival of aquatic life.
pH 7.8 - 8.4 potential of HydrogenMeasuring the acidity or alkalinity of water on a 0–14 scale, where 7 is neutral, 7 is alkaline.
NO3 1-20 ppm NitrateWhile less toxic than ammonia, high nitrate levels (above 40–80 ppm) are important to monitor because they can cause fish stress, stunted growth, and harmful algae blooms.
NO2 <0.0001 ppm NitriteIt is a highly toxic, intermediate compound in the nitrogen cycle produced from broken-down ammonia
PO4 0.01 - 0.1 ppm PhosphateIt is essential for plant development but must be managed, as excess levels trigger nuisance algae blooms and inhibit coral calcification.
NH3 <0.1 ppm AmmoniaIt is the primary killer of aquarium fish, causing gill damage, stress, and death
Ca 380 - 450 ppm CalciumSupporting the growth, skeletal structure, and shell formation of corals, mollusks, crustaceans, and coralline algae
KH 8 - 12 dKH AlkalinityIt acts as a shield, neutralizing acids to prevent dangerous pH "crashes" that can harm fish, corals, and plants.
Mg 1200 - 1400 ppm MagnesiumIt enables coral growth by supporting skeletal formation, assists in metabolic processes, and ensures that calcium is available for corals, clams, and coralline algae.
SG 1.023 - 1.026 SG SalinityEssential for maintaining stable, natural water parameters, proper osmoregulation, and stress-free environments for marine fish and corals
ORP 250 - 400 mV Oxidation-Reduction PotentialA higher positive mV indicates clean, oxygen-rich water with high water quality, while low readings indicate high pollution.
About 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.
Diet & nutrition
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.
Determining sex
There is no noticeable difference in appearance between males and females.
Breeding & spawning
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.
Diseases
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.
Origination
Five Lined Cardinalfish are found in the western Pacific Ocean, from Indonesia to the Philippines.
Cautions
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.
Acclimation process
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.
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