Black-Striped Cardinalfish (Ostorhinchus nigrofasciatus) Care Guide
Ostorhinchus nigrofasciatus is an Indo-Pacific cardinalfish with alternating black and yellow stripes that lives singly or in pairs under reef ledges.
Overview
Ostorhinchus nigrofasciatus is a small marine cardinalfish of the family Apogonidae, described by Lachner in 1953 and formerly placed in the genus Apogon. FishBase describes alternating black and yellow stripes on a white body, with a maximum length around 10 cm.
Taxonomy
- Family: Apogonidae
- Genus: Ostorhinchus
- Scientific name: Ostorhinchus nigrofasciatus
- Common synonym: Apogon nigrofasciatus
Habitat
According to FishBase, the species ranges from the western Indian Ocean and the Red Sea east to the Tuamotu Islands, north to southern Japan and south to New Caledonia and Rapa, at depths of 3 to 50 m. It occurs on reef flats and shallow lagoon reefs, typically singly or in pairs under ledges and in crevices.
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 reports that the species feeds on small benthic invertebrates at night, with a trophic level of about 3.6. In the aquarium it accepts meaty marine foods offered toward dusk.
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 2020), as reported by FishBase.