Hartzfeld's Cardinalfish (Apogon hartzfeldii) Care Guide
Apogon hartzfeldii is a benthic, nocturnal cardinalfish of the western Indo-Pacific that shelters on sheltered reef flats and shallow lagoons.
Overview
Apogon hartzfeldii is a marine cardinalfish of the family Apogonidae, described by Bleeker in 1852. FishBase treats it under the current valid name Ostorhinchus hartzfeldii and reports a maximum length around 12 cm; it is a benthic, nocturnal, reef-associated species.
Taxonomy
- Family: Apogonidae
- Genus: Apogon
- Scientific name: Apogon hartzfeldii
- Current valid name (FishBase): Ostorhinchus hartzfeldii (Bleeker, 1852)
Habitat
According to FishBase, the species occurs in Indonesia, the Philippines and Palau to Borneo, north-western Australia and the Arafura Sea, at depths of 1 to 28 m (usually 1 to 12 m). It inhabits sheltered reef flats and shallow lagoons, often among debris or corals.
Tank requirements
- Minimum tank volume: 200 L
- Temperature: 24-26 °C (75-79 °F)
- pH: 8.1-8.4
- GH: 8-12 °dGH
- Group size: at least 3 individuals
- Lifespan: 3-8 years
Diet
FishBase assigns the species a carnivorous trophic level of about 3.6. As a nocturnal cardinalfish it feeds at night; in the aquarium it accepts meaty marine foods.
Compatibility
It is a peaceful species that occupies the middle water column and shelters by day. It suits calm marine communities with clownfish, tangs, wrasses and gobies, and should not be combined with large predators.
Breeding
FishBase records the species as a mouthbrooder with distinct pairing during courtship and spawning; the male incubates the eggs in his mouth.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2021), as reported by FishBase.