Apogon novemfasciatus

(Cuvier, 1828)

Sevenstriped Cardinalfish

Range: Indo-West Pacific Ocean: Christmas Islands to the Line Islands, north to the Izu Islands, and south to the Great Barrier Reef.

Size: 4 inches (10 cm)

Natural Environment: Inhabits shallow reef flats and lagoons and usually found at depths between 3 – 15 feet (1 – 5 m) where it feeds on small fishes and crustaceans/zooplankton during evening hours.

General Husbandry: Rarely seen in the trade with this very hardy species having seven whitish and brownish stripes from the snout to the caudal peduncle.

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/Ostorhinchus

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

Often shows up in the trade as an Apogon species, but can be technically found also listed as: Ostorhinchus novemfasciatus.

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