All fish / Apogonidae

Flamefish

Apogon maculatus

Also known as flame cardinalfish, flame cardinal, red cardinalfish, flamefish cardinal, 斑鳍天竺鲷

The Flamefish is a bright red cardinalfish with two separate dorsal fins, a black spot under the second dorsal, a dark saddle near the tail and white-edged dark lines through the eye. It is hardy and calm, and it is reef safe with corals, so it suits peaceful reef and fish-only tanks with plenty of rockwork to hide in.

Care at a glance

Care level

Easy

Temperament

Peaceful

Adult size

8 cm

Temperature

22 to 27 °C

pH

8.1 to 8.4

Smallest tank

110 litres

Keep as

Singly, in a pair, or a small group in a roomy tank

Diet

Carnivore: mysis, brine shrimp, chopped seafood and small meaty frozen foods

Swims

Middle of the tank

Lifespan

5 to 8 years

Water

Marine (saltwater)

Wild range

Western Atlantic: Massachusetts and Bermuda south through the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean to Brazil

Breeding

The male broods the eggs in his mouth until they hatch. Pairs sometimes spawn in captivity, but rearing the larvae is difficult and seldom achieved.

Good to know

It is mostly active at night and shy at first, so give it caves and feed it near lights-out. It may eat very small shrimps and fish, and larger predators will eat it.