{"product_id":"goldbelly-cardinalfish-ostorhinchus-apogonoides","title":"Goldbelly Cardinalfish | Ostorhinchus apogonoides","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSoft silver lit by a golden belly, the Goldbelly Cardinalfish is a gentle schooling fish that adds quiet movement to a reef. Easy to keep and happiest in a group.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn nature, Goldbelly Cardinalfish inhabit protected reef slopes, lagoons, coral rubble areas and sheltered coastal habitats throughout parts of the Indo-Pacific. They are often associated with structure rather than open exposed reef. During the day they may hold close to shelter, while at dusk and in lower light they become more active, feeding on small planktonic animals and crustaceans.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis species has the classic cardinalfish shape with a compact body, large eyes and a slightly translucent appearance. The warm yellow to golden belly is the standout feature, contrasting with the softer upper body tones. Under reef lighting, the fish can show a subtle shimmer that looks excellent against live rock and coral backgrounds.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eGoldbelly Cardinalfish are peaceful and best kept with similarly calm fish. They are generally reef safe and do not pick at corals. They may eat very small crustaceans, which is normal for a carnivorous cardinalfish, but they are usually safe with established cleaner shrimp and larger ornamental invertebrates. Avoid housing them with aggressive or very fast-feeding fish that may stress them or prevent them feeding properly.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOffer frozen mysis, enriched brine shrimp, finely chopped seafood, copepods, small marine pellets and other quality carnivore foods. A varied diet helps maintain colour, condition and immune strength. Small regular feeds are better than large occasional meals, particularly while the fish is settling into a new aquarium.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum aquarium size of 100 L for a single specimen, with 180 L or larger recommended for a group or community display. Keep temperature between 24–27°C, pH 8.1–8.4 and salinity 1.023–1.026. Gentle to moderate water movement is ideal, with calmer areas where the fish can hover comfortably. Provide strong biological filtration, stable salinity, good oxygenation and regular water changes. Rockwork should include caves, overhangs and shaded areas, while still leaving open swimming room. Standard reef lighting is fine, though very bright tanks should include shaded retreats.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBreeding information for this exact species in aquariums is limited, but cardinalfish are generally mouthbrooders. Well-fed adults in stable systems may show pairing behaviour. Raising young requires careful feeding with appropriately sized live or enriched foods and excellent water quality.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOstorhinchus apogonoides\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGoldbelly Cardinalfish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIndo-Pacific reefs and lagoons\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e9 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e3–5 years\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTemperament\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDifficulty\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEasy to moderate\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e100 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e180 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore\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 – marine species\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.023–1.026 specific gravity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEstablished marine aquariums and peaceful reef systems\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable – marine species\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include peaceful reef fish, gobies, blennies, clownfish, flasher wrasses, fairy wrasses and other calm cardinalfish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with predatory fish, aggressive damsels, large hawkfish and tank mates likely to outcompete them at feeding time.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55351890936099,"sku":null,"price":9.5,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55216358621475,"sku":"BA8804","price":13.5,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Large (10-15cm)","offer_id":55351890968867,"sku":null,"price":18.5,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/Goldbelly_Cardinalfish_Ostorhinchus_apogonoides_ed3919ca-b1db-4e5b-a246-51540e63f259.jpg?v=1781681222","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/goldbelly-cardinalfish-ostorhinchus-apogonoides","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}