{"product_id":"yellowstriped-cardinalfish-ostorhinchus-cyanosoma","title":"Yellowstriped Cardinalfish | Ostorhinchus cyanosoma","description":"\u003ch2\u003eDescription\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Yellowstriped Cardinalfish is a small, peaceful reef fish prized for its warm golden-orange body marked with two bold electric-blue stripes running from snout to tail and a signature dark saddle spot at the base of the caudal fin. Reaching only around 6-8cm, these hardy, easy-going fish hover in loose groups just above the rocks, making them a colourful, low-fuss addition to peaceful reef and community systems.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eNatural Habitat\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eNative to the tropical West Pacific, including Indonesia, the Philippines and the Great Barrier Reef, Ostorhinchus cyanosoma shelters by day among staghorn coral branches, crevices and under ledges on shallow lagoon and reef slopes at depths of roughly 3-37m, emerging at dusk to feed on drifting zooplankton.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAppearance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA slender, laterally compressed body in translucent golden-orange is decorated with two continuous royal-blue horizontal stripes and large dark eyes typical of nocturnal apogonids. A distinctive black blotch sits at the base of the tail, and the fins carry a light dusting of the same blue-gold tones. Sexes look similar, though males develop a slightly larger, squarer jaw used for mouthbrooding.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eTemperament and Compatibility\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eExtremely peaceful and non-aggressive, Yellowstriped Cardinalfish do best kept in a small shoal of five or more, where they establish a loose hierarchy without squabbling. They are ideal for peaceful reef and community tanks and will not bother corals, invertebrates or other fish, though very large or boisterous tankmates may intimidate them.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFeeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA carnivore that hunts zooplankton in the wild, this species readily accepts frozen mysis and brine shrimp, finely chopped meaty seafood and quality marine pellets or flakes. Multiple small daily feedings are recommended, ideally timed towards dusk to mimic natural foraging behaviour.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCare Requirements\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBest housed in a mature reef aquarium of at least 75 litres for a small shoal, with plenty of branching coral, rockwork and shaded crevices to retreat into during the day. Stable reef parameters are essential: temperature 24-27°C, pH 8.1-8.4 and specific gravity 1.020-1.025, maintained with efficient filtration and regular water changes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eBreeding\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eLike other cardinalfish, males are paternal mouthbrooders, carrying a clutch of fertilised eggs in their mouth for around a week until they hatch. Spawning has been observed in well-established captive shoals, and this species has even been successfully aquacultured commercially, though rearing the tiny larvae remains a challenge for home aquarists.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecies Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eScientific Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOstorhinchus cyanosoma\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eYellowstriped Cardinalfish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eOrigin\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWest Pacific (Indonesia, Philippines, Great Barrier Reef)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMaximum Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e8cm\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\u003eBeginner\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMinimum Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e75L (20 US gal) for a small shoal\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRecommended Tank Size\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e150L (40 US gal) 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)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSalinity\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e1.020-1.025 SG\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSuitable For\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eReef Aquariums, Peaceful Community Tanks\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\u003eYes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSuitable Tank Mates\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003ePairs well with other peaceful reef fish such as gobies, blennies, firefish, other cardinalfish, small wrasses and peaceful shoaling fish, along with reef invertebrates and corals.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAvoid Keeping With\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eAvoid large, aggressive or predatory species such as triggerfish, lionfish, groupers or big wrasses that may view them as food, as well as boisterous fish that will outcompete them for food.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nick's Aquarium Oceanarium Terrarium","offers":[{"title":"Small (1-5cm)","offer_id":55411438125347,"sku":"AA5007-S","price":12.5,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"Medium (5-10cm)","offer_id":55411438158115,"sku":"AA5007-M","price":17.5,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/nicksaquariumoceanariumterrarium.com.au\/products\/yellowstriped-cardinalfish-ostorhinchus-cyanosoma","provider":"Nicks AOT","version":"1.0","type":"link"}