{"product_id":"cardinal-goatfish","title":"Cardinal Goatfish | Parupeneus ciliatus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Cardinal Goatfish (Whitesaddle Goatfish) is an active, characterful sand-sifter that patrols the bottom on a pair of sensitive chin barbels, probing the substrate for food. It brings constant motion to the lower levels of a large aquarium. It is not a wrasse, and it is not reef safe, so it belongs in a fish-only system with an open sand bed rather than a prized reef.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn the wild, the Cardinal Goatfish is associated with sandy and rubble areas near Indo-Pacific reefs, where it forages by day using its barbels to detect worms, small crustaceans and other buried prey, often changing colour as it hunts. Replicating this environment means providing a large, open sand bed for foraging, mature rockwork around the edges, and plenty of unobstructed bottom space. A wide footprint matters more than height.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Cardinal Goatfish has a reddish to pinkish body with pale saddles and blotches that shift in intensity with mood, plus the prominent pair of barbels under the chin. It reaches around 30–38 cm. Colour and pattern change noticeably as it forages or rests. Healthy specimens are constantly active, foraging over the sand, well-filled through the body and quick to feed, without a hollow belly, which is a common sign of a goatfish that is not getting enough food.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eTemperament is best described as peaceful towards fish but predatory towards small mobile invertebrates. It ignores most tank mates but will hunt and eat ornamental shrimp, small crabs, worms and other benthic invertebrates, and may take very small fish. Suitable companions include tangs, rabbitfish, larger wrasses, angels and other robust, non-aggressive fish. It should be kept in fish-only systems, not reef aquariums, and needs an open sand bed to behave naturally.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeed as a carnivore. Offer a varied diet of chopped prawn, squid, mussel, clam, fish flesh, mysis shrimp and other meaty marine foods, fed several times daily. Because it burns energy constantly foraging, it needs frequent feeding to hold condition, in addition to the food it finds in the sand. A varied diet supports colour, weight and long-term health. Watch body condition closely, as goatfish can slim down quickly if underfed.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor long-term success, provide a minimum aquarium size of 470 L, with 700 L or larger recommended for its activity level and adult size. Maintain temperature at 24–27°C, pH 8.1–8.4 and salinity around 1.020–1.026. Moderate flow suits it. Lighting can match the system. Provide a large, open sand bed for foraging and stable rockwork around the edges. Strong filtration, protein skimming and regular water changes of 10–20% are recommended, as active feeders add to the bioload. This species is not reef safe and will deplete a tank's population of small invertebrates.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBreeding in the home aquarium is not achieved and should not be expected. Goatfish are open-water spawners whose larvae drift as plankton for an extended period, requiring specialised conditions far beyond normal home aquarium keeping. For keepers, the practical focus should be correct frequent feeding, an open sand bed, stable water quality and suitable fish-only tank mates.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eParupeneus ciliatus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCardinal Goatfish (Whitesaddle Goatfish)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIndo-Pacific sandy and rubble areas near reefs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e30–38 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e5–8 years with good care\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful to fish; predatory to small invertebrates\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIntermediate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e470 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e700 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore; meaty marine foods, fed frequently\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWater Temperature\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e24–27°C\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003epH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8.1–8.4\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGH Range\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable for marine fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.020–1.026\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLarge fish-only systems with an open sand bed\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot reef safe (eats invertebrates)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include tangs, rabbitfish, larger wrasses, angels and other robust, non-aggressive fish in a fish-only system with open sand.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with ornamental shrimp, small crabs, prized worms and other benthic invertebrates, very small fish it may eat, and highly aggressive fish that will outcompete it at feeding time.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234136506659,"sku":"BA8324-S","price":40.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234136539427,"sku":"BA8324","price":45.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55234136572195,"sku":"BA8324-L","price":50.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"X-Large (15-30cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55351937532195,"sku":"BA8324-XL","price":60.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/cardinal-goatfish-43090648072483.webp?v=1790305845","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/cardinal-goatfish","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}