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.
Compiled by Aquairi from published sources · Published · Updated
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.
Ostorhinchus nigrofasciatus Breeding Guide
Overview
Ostorhinchus nigrofasciatus is an Indo-Pacific cardinalfish, formerly placed in the genus Apogon and described by Lachner in 1953 (Wikipedia). It grows to about 10 cm and carries bold dark stripes on a pale body. It occasionally appears in the aquarium trade and, as a member of the family Apogonidae, shares the nocturnal, reef-sheltering habits of its relatives.
Sexing
Apogonidae are sexually monomorphic outside the breeding act, with males distinguished mainly by the larger head and jaw used to incubate eggs (Wikipedia, Apogonidae). Species-specific external markers for O. nigrofasciatus are not documented, so growing a small group and watching for stable pair formation is the reliable approach.
Conditioning
Conditioning for cardinalfish relies on stable marine parameters and frequent small meaty feeds such as enriched mysis, small marine crustaceans and finely chopped seafood, offered about twice daily. Cardinalfish feed mainly at night, so an evening feed and subdued lighting suit a conditioning group.
Breeding Setup
A breeding setup mirrors the sheltered reef: rockwork with ledges and crevices, subdued light and calm to moderate flow let a pair settle securely. A dedicated tank with minimal disturbance helps the nocturnal pair court naturally and makes it easier to identify a brooding male.
Spawning Behavior & Trigger
At least some cardinalfish brood their eggs inside the mouths of the males (Apogonidae), the reproductive pattern expected for this species. The pair courts, the female transfers an egg mass and the male takes it up to incubate; species-specific clutch counts and exact triggers for O. nigrofasciatus are not published and are therefore omitted.
Egg & Fry Care
In mouthbrooding cardinalfish the male holds the egg mass and does not feed during incubation (Apogonidae). Released larvae are small and pelagic and need a separate rearing tank with very small first foods; no detailed rearing account specific to O. nigrofasciatus appears in the cited sources.
Common Challenges
Thin published data on this species means breeders must extrapolate from the apogonid family pattern. As with related cardinalfish, the larval stage is the limiting factor, the brooding male must be protected from harassment while fasting, and first-feeding larvae require suitable micro-foods.