Seales Cardinalfish
Apogon sealei
Saltwater Fish
Species Group: Cardinalfish
Family: Cardinalfish
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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 Seales Cardinalfish
General information
Seale's Cardinalfish is a small saltwater fish that grows up to 2 inches (5 cm) in length. They have a slender body with a yellow-green coloration and a white underbelly. They are nocturnal and are best kept in groups of 4 or more in an aquarium of at least 20 gallons. They are a peaceful species and can be kept with other small, peaceful fish.
Diet & nutrition
In the wild, Seale's Cardinalfish feeds on small crustaceans and plankton. In an aquarium, they can be fed a varied diet of frozen and live foods such as brine shrimp, bloodworms, and mysis shrimp.
Determining sex
There are no visual differences between males and females.
Breeding & spawning
Seale's Cardinalfish can be bred in an aquarium setting. They are egg scatterers and will lay their eggs in a nest. After hatching, the fry can be fed small live foods such as rotifers and baby brine shrimp.
Diseases
Seale's Cardinalfish is generally a hardy species and is not prone to any specific diseases. However, as with all aquarium species, they can be susceptible to parasitic infections and bacterial diseases. It is important to maintain good water quality and quarantine any new additions to the aquarium.
Origination
Seale's Cardinalfish is found in the Western Pacific Ocean, including the Philippines, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea.
Acclimation process
When introducing Seale's Cardinalfish to a new aquarium, it is important to acclimate them slowly to prevent shock. The drip acclimation method is recommended, where the fish is slowly introduced to the new aquarium water over a period of at least an hour.
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