All fish / Apogonidae

Frostfin cardinalfish

Apogon hoevenii

Also known as frostfin cardinal, hoeven's cardinalfish, apogon hoeveni, frost fin cardinal, 霍氏天竺鲷

This is a small, semi-translucent cardinalfish with a silvery-brown body and a white or frosted tip on the first dorsal fin, which gives it its common name. It is a calm, shy species that hovers in loose groups near cover, so it suits peaceful reef tanks with other small, gentle fish.

Care at a glance

Care level

Moderate

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

5 cm

Temperature

24 to 28 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

80 litres

Keep as

Small group of 5 or more

Diet

Carnivore: mysis, brine shrimp, copepods, finely chopped seafood and small marine pellets

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

3 to 5 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Western Pacific: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Papua New Guinea and northern Australia

Breeding

Like other cardinalfish, the male broods the eggs in his mouth until they hatch. Spawning sometimes happens in aquariums, but raising the tiny planktonic larvae is difficult and needs live zooplankton.

Good to know

It is easily outcompeted at feeding time and may be eaten by larger predatory fish. Several similar small cardinalfish are sold under mixed-up names, so check what you are buying.