{"product_id":"pyjama-cardinal","title":"Pyjama Cardinal | Sphaeramia nematoptera","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Pyjama Cardinal (Sphaeramia nematoptera) is a charming, peaceful cardinalfish with a comical patchwork of colour. Calm, hardy and mostly active at dawn and dusk, it is one of the best beginner reef fish and looks superb kept in a small group. It reaches around 8.5 cm.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSphaeramia nematoptera comes from the western Pacific, where it shelters among branching corals and seagrass in calm lagoons and sheltered reefs, usually in tight-knit groups. In the aquarium it appreciates rockwork, gentle flow and a few open resting spots.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eUnmistakable, with a yellow-green face, a bold dark vertical band across the middle of the body, and a rear half scattered with orange-red spots on a pale background. Its large eyes reflect its crepuscular habits. The body is short and deep, giving it a rounded, endearing profile.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePeaceful and rather sedentary, it hovers in the water column and rarely troubles other fish. It does best in a small shoal of three or more and mixes well with other calm species. Very boisterous or predatory tankmates should be avoided.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA carnivore. Offer meaty foods such as mysis, enriched brine shrimp, small marine pellets and finely chopped seafood. It feeds most readily in the evening, so a late feed helps shy individuals settle and put on weight.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide a minimum of 115 L, with 150 L or larger recommended for a small group. Maintain temperature at 24–27°C, pH 8.1–8.4 and salinity 1.023–1.025. Gentle flow, stable water and plenty of shelter suit it well. It is hardy and undemanding once established.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOne of the more achievable marine breeders. Pyjama Cardinals are paternal mouthbrooders — the male carries the eggs in his mouth until the well-developed young are released. Raising the fry still requires small live foods and dedicated effort, but pairs will spawn readily in a peaceful tank.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSphaeramia nematoptera\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePyjama Cardinal\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWestern Pacific\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8.5 cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLifespan\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e4–5 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\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e115 L\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e150 L or larger\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDiet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCarnivore; mysis, enriched brine shrimp, small pellets and chopped seafood\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\u003e1.023–1.025\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePeaceful community reef aquariums, ideally in a small group\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef safe; will not harm corals or clams\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Safe\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eNot applicable for marine fish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eSuitable tank mates include clownfish, small gobies, firefish, fairy wrasses, other cardinalfish and peaceful reef species. It thrives in a calm community.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid keeping with large aggressive fish, predators big enough to eat it, and boisterous species that will outcompete this slow, gentle feeder.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55234126741795,"sku":"AA1488","price":31.98,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55234126774563,"sku":null,"price":36.98,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/pyjama-cardinal","provider":"Nicks Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","version":"1.0","type":"link"}