Apogon melas

(Bleeker, 1848)

Black Cardinalfish

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Malaysia to Moluccas, north to Southern Japan, and south Rowley Shoals.

Size: 4 inches (10 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits dark areas under jetties in protected coastal bays and usually found at depths between 3 – 50 feet (1 – 15 m) where it feeds on small fishes and crustaceans/zooplankton during evening hours

General Husbandry: Occasionally seen in the trade having a solid grey to black body with one eyespot at the base of the second dorsal fin.

Best maintained fish-only aquariums with subdued lighting, yet can also be maintained in reef aquariums, with both having several rocky caves/hiding areas. If maintained with moderately aggressive tankmates, will remain in hiding during daylight hours and may not get its fair share of the food when the aquarium is fed. If maintained with peaceful tankmates, will spend a good portion of its time in the aquarium open areas.

As to diet, products such as marine fish and crustacean flesh, clams, and other marine meaty foods should be enriched and finely chopped and fed several times daily. Depending upon the environment in which its maintained, the best time of the day to feed are early morning and evening hours.

Taxonomy:

Order: Perciformes

Suborder: Percoidei

Family: Apogonidae

Subfamily: Apogoninae

Genus: Apogon/Apogonichthyoides

FYI: Best maintained in small groups of five or more.

A threat to small tankmates, shrimp, and small worms/feather dusters.

Can technically be found also listed as: Apogonichthyoides melas.

Experience Level: Beginner

Temperament: Peaceful

Diet: Carnivore

Coral Safe: Yes

Fish Safe: With caution

Invertebrate Safe: With caution

Acclimation Time: 30 minutes+

Aquarium Environment: Reef or fish-only aquarium

Tankmates: Peaceful

Minimum Tank Size: 30+ gallons

Temperature Range: 72 - 82°F (22 – 28°C)

Specific Gravity: 1.020 - 1.026

pH: 8.0 - 8.5