{"product_id":"orange-lined-cardinalfish-ostorhinchus-properuptus","title":"Orange-Lined Cardinalfish | Ostorhinchus properuptus","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFine orange lines over a pearly body give the Orange-Lined Cardinalfish a clean, smart look. A peaceful, nocturnal fish that settles easily into a reef.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis species occurs around sheltered Indo-Pacific reef habitats, including lagoons, coral rubble zones and protected reef slopes. It is commonly associated with structure and lower-light microhabitats rather than exposed open water. In the wild, it feeds on small crustaceans and planktonic foods that pass through the reef, using caves and coral branches as security.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOrange-Lined Cardinalfish have a neat, compact body with warm orange to reddish lines running along the body. Their large eyes, semi-translucent fins and tidy markings give them a classic cardinalfish appearance. They look particularly good under balanced reef lighting, where the orange lines contrast against live rock and coral colours.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a peaceful species that works well in calm community marine aquariums. It is safe with corals and most reef invertebrates, although tiny crustaceans may be eaten. It can be kept singly or in groups if the aquarium is large enough. Avoid rough tank mates, as stress can cause hiding and poor feeding. Good choices include gobies, blennies, clownfish, firefish and smaller reef-safe wrasses.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFeed a varied carnivorous diet including frozen mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, finely chopped seafood, copepods and high-quality marine pellets. Offer small foods that stay suspended in the water column. New arrivals may be shy, so feeding with pumps reduced briefly can help ensure they receive enough food.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA minimum aquarium size of 100 L is suitable for a single fish, while 160 L or larger is better for pairs or groups. Keep temperature at 24–27°C, pH 8.1–8.4 and salinity 1.023–1.026. Provide stable water quality, moderate filtration and routine water changes. Flow should be gentle to moderate, not so strong that the fish is constantly pushed around. Standard reef lighting is acceptable, but shaded caves and ledges are recommended. Aquascaping should create secure retreats close to open feeding areas. This species is not difficult, but it should be protected from bullying and offered regular meaty foods.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBreeding in home aquariums is not common but may occur in stable groups or pairs. Cardinalfish are generally associated with mouthbrooding reproductive behaviour. Conditioning with a nutritious varied diet and maintaining stable parameters improves the chance of breeding behaviour.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOstorhinchus properuptus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrange-Lined Cardinalfish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eIndo-Pacific reefs and sheltered lagoons\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eUp to 6 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\u003e160 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 clownfish, gobies, blennies, small wrasses, firefish, dragonets in mature tanks and other calm reef species.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with large predators, aggressive damsels, triggers, puffers, dottybacks and fish that may swallow or bully them.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55351891034403,"sku":"BA8275-S","price":10.5,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm) \/ Australian Caught","offer_id":55216358687011,"sku":"BA8275","price":15.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0972\/7236\/5347\/files\/orange-lined-cardinalfish-os-43090643091747.webp?v=1790305347","url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/orange-lined-cardinalfish-ostorhinchus-properuptus","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}