Pearl Cardinalfish (Apogon margaritophorus) Care Guide
Apogon margaritophorus is a small nocturnal cardinalfish of shallow Western Pacific coral reefs, a mouthbrooder kept in peaceful marine aquaria.
Overview
Apogon margaritophorus is a small marine cardinalfish of the family Apogonidae, described by Bleeker in 1855. FishBase treats it under the current valid name Ostorhinchus margaritophorus and reports it from shallow coral reefs of the Western Central Pacific. It is a reef-associated, nocturnal species reaching about 6.5 cm in total length.
Taxonomy
- Family: Apogonidae
- Genus: Apogon
- Scientific name: Apogon margaritophorus
- Current valid name (FishBase): Ostorhinchus margaritophorus (Bleeker, 1855)
Habitat
According to FishBase, the species occurs across the Indo-Malay Archipelago to the Solomon Islands at depths of roughly 1 to 5 m. It inhabits shallow coral reefs around lagoons and sheltered bays, where small groups often shelter near long-spined sea urchins or large anemones in seagrass.
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
The species is carnivorous. As a nocturnal cardinalfish it feeds on small invertebrates; in the aquarium it accepts meaty marine foods offered around dusk to match its natural feeding rhythm.
Compatibility
This is a peaceful, schooling 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 such as lionfish.
Breeding
FishBase records the species as a paternal mouthbrooder with distinct pairing during courtship and spawning; the male incubates the eggs in his mouth until the larvae hatch.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List: Least Concern (assessed 2009), as reported by FishBase.