Pajama Cardinalfish
Encyclopedia
The Pajama cardinalfish (Sphaeramia nematoptera) is a species of fish belonging to the Apogonidae
family. It is a popular aquarium fish
. It grows to a total length of about 2.5 inches (8.5 centimeters) and features distinctive red eyes and a broad dark vertical 'waistband' with scattered red spots toward the tail. It is considered to be of low vulnerability, and is distributed throughout much of the West Pacific, from Java
to Fiji
, and from the Ryukyu Islands
south to the Great Barrier Reef
. In Pajama cardinalfish, males incubate the eggs in their mouth until they hatch.
. It will typically not bother other fish, or invertebrates and is therefore considered reef safe. The one possible exception to that rule is they may eat small shrimp.
As they are a social fish, it is common to keep them in groups of five or more. They have been known to breed in captivity, unlike most marine fish, but captive bred specimens are only rarely available. If they are kept with a long spined sea urchin they will hide among the spines when they feel threatened.
Apogonidae
Cardinalfishes are a family, Apogonidae, of ray-finned fishes. They are found in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific oceans, they are chiefly marine, but some species are found in brackish water...
family. It is a popular aquarium fish
Aquarium fish
In fishkeeping, species of aquarium fish vary with the water chemistry of the aquarium.For species of fish found in particular types of aquaria, see:*List of brackish aquarium fish species*List of freshwater aquarium amphibian species...
. It grows to a total length of about 2.5 inches (8.5 centimeters) and features distinctive red eyes and a broad dark vertical 'waistband' with scattered red spots toward the tail. It is considered to be of low vulnerability, and is distributed throughout much of the West Pacific, from Java
Java
Java is an island of Indonesia. With a population of 135 million , it is the world's most populous island, and one of the most densely populated regions in the world. It is home to 60% of Indonesia's population. The Indonesian capital city, Jakarta, is in west Java...
to Fiji
Fiji
Fiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
, and from the Ryukyu Islands
Ryukyu Islands
The , also known as the , is a chain of islands in the western Pacific, on the eastern limit of the East China Sea and to the southwest of the island of Kyushu in Japan. From about 1829 until the mid 20th century, they were alternately called Luchu, Loochoo, or Lewchew, akin to the Mandarin...
south to the Great Barrier Reef
Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is the world'slargest reef system composed of over 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching for over 2,600 kilometres over an area of approximately...
. In Pajama cardinalfish, males incubate the eggs in their mouth until they hatch.
In the Aquarium
A hardy and peaceful fish that can live many years in a marine aquariumMarine aquarium
A marine aquarium is an aquarium that keeps marine plants and animals in a contained environment. Marine aquaria are further subdivided by hobbyists into fish only , fish only with live rock , and reef aquaria. Fish only tanks often showcase large or aggressive marine fish species and generally...
. It will typically not bother other fish, or invertebrates and is therefore considered reef safe. The one possible exception to that rule is they may eat small shrimp.
As they are a social fish, it is common to keep them in groups of five or more. They have been known to breed in captivity, unlike most marine fish, but captive bred specimens are only rarely available. If they are kept with a long spined sea urchin they will hide among the spines when they feel threatened.