TankBud

Seale's cardinalfish

Ostorhinchus sealei

Also known as Apogon sealei, Cheek-barred Cardinalfish

SaltwaterFish

Seale's cardinalfish (Ostorhinchus sealei)
Rickard Zerpe · CC BY 2.0

Care at a glance

Temperature
72–79°F
22–26°C
pH
8.1–8.4
Adult size
3.9 in
10 cm
Minimum tank
29 gal
110 L
Temperament
Peaceful
Social behavior
Schooling
Swim level
Middle
Difficulty
Easy
Breeding
Mouthbrooder · Medium
Rarity
Rare
Reef safe
Reef safe
Family
Apogonidae
Origin
Western Pacific (Malaysia to the Solomon Islands)

Overview

Seale's cardinalfish is a small, peaceful schooling fish for the middle of a calm reef tank. It is easy to keep.

Did you know

In January 2020, Seale's cardinalfish became the 17th cardinalfish species ever bred in captivity. It was raised at Biota's hatchery in Palau, and the trade now runs on those captive-bred shoals.

Caring for the Seale's cardinalfish

Keep a trio or more of Seale's cardinalfish in at least 29 gal (110 L), with branching structure to shelter in. They are a true shoaling species and stay grouped as adults.

Hold the water at 72 to 79°F (22 to 26°C) and a pH of 8.1 to 8.4. Captive-bred fish eat pellets and frozen foods without hesitation, and they appreciate a small feeding around dusk.

Seale's cardinalfish are very peaceful and easily crowded out by boisterous fish, so keep them with gentle tank mates. Pairs form inside the shoal, and the male broods the eggs in his mouth. Breeding them takes a little experience.

Good to know

Seale's cardinalfish, Ostorhinchus sealei, is a cardinalfish in the family Apogonidae. It has yellowish stripes on the head and a short dark bar below the eye, which is why it is also called the cheek-barred cardinalfish.

In the wild

Seale's cardinalfish gathers among branching corals in calm, reef-protected lagoons from Malaysia east to the Solomon Islands. It seldom ventures below about 10 meters. Shoals hold low over the reef by day and spread out after dark to feed.

Weekly picks

Tank mates

The Seale's cardinalfish is a peaceful, schooling species that keeps to the middle. These picks share a community profile with it, are safe together in both directions, and overlap on water type, temperature and pH.

Check the full mix in the stocking calculator

Common questions

What size tank does a Seale's cardinalfish need?

A Seale's cardinalfish needs at least 29 gal (110 L). It spends most of its time in the middle.

What temperature and pH does a Seale's cardinalfish need?

A Seale's cardinalfish is comfortable at 72–79°F (22–26°C) with a pH of 8.1–8.4.

What does a Seale's cardinalfish eat?

A Seale's cardinalfish eats pellets and frozen foods, and captive-bred fish take them without hesitation. It also appreciates a small feeding around dusk.

How big does a Seale's cardinalfish get?

An adult Seale's cardinalfish reaches about 3.9 in (10 cm).

Does a Seale's cardinalfish need a group?

Yes. A Seale's cardinalfish is a schooling species and should be kept in a group, not singly.

How does a Seale's cardinalfish breed?

Seale's cardinalfish pair off inside the shoal, and the male broods the eggs in his mouth. Breeding them takes a little experience.

Related species