Flame Cardinalfish

Apogon compressus

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Suggested Tank

30+ gallons

Max Size

4.4 inches

Difficulty

Easy

Temperament

Semi-Aggressive

Description

A stocky Caribbean cardinalfish with a fiery reddish-orange body, two bright white stripes crossing the iris, a small black spot below the rear dorsal fin, and a dark saddle at the tail base. It is a slow, deliberate nocturnal hunter that hides in caves and overhangs by day, so give it shaded rockwork and target-feed in the evening; it is generally peaceful toward unrelated fish but squabbles with other cardinalfish, so keep one, a bonded pair, or a group of five or more in a large tank. Safe with corals, but its mouth opens far wider than it looks and it will pick off small ornamental shrimp, tiny fish, and feather dusters.

Reef Safe

Yes

Environment

This species requires a well-maintained aquarium with plenty of hiding spots and live rock. They prefer stable water conditions with a temperature range of 72-78°F, a pH of 8.1-8.4, and a salinity of 1.020-1.025.

Behavior

Flame Cardinalfish are generally peaceful and can be kept in small groups. They are nocturnal and prefer to hide among rocks and crevices during the day, becoming more active at night.

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Flame Cardinalfish

Apogon compressus

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