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By Bob Goemans
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Apogon

Apogon semilineatus

(Temminck & Schlegel, 1842)

Halflined Cardinalfish

Likely Reef Tank Suitable

Likely Fish-Only Tank Suitable

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Philippines to Taiwan and Southern Japan, south to northwestern Australia.

Size: 5 inches (12 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits rocky reefs, and found near crevices and caves during the day. Usually found at depths between 10 – 300 feet (3 – 90 m) where it feeds on small fishes and crustaceans/zooplankton during evening hours.

General Husbandry: Rarely seen in the trade having a silvery body with two dark stripes that run from the snout through the eye area to the tail, a yellow patch on the abdomen and a dark spot on the caudal peduncle.

Can be maintained in well lighted fish-only or reef aquariums as this species does not seem to be negatively affected by bright lighting. Aquariums should also have several rocky caves/hiding areas if needed by this species. 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 almost all 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.

Taxonomy:

    Order: Perciformes

    Suborder: Percoidei

    Family: Apogonidae

    Subfamily: Apogoninae

    Genus: Apogon/Ostorhinchus

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: Ostorhinchus semilineatus.

    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

 Apogon semilineatus (Halflined Cardinalfish)
Photo © David Cook
Apogon selas Apogon semiornatus
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