Species Name : Apogon СoccineusCare Level : EasyTemperament : PeacefulColor : Red, White, ClearDiet : CarnivoreReef Compatible : YesWater Conditions : sg 1.020-1.025, 72-78° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4Max. Size : 3"Origin : Indo-West Pacific OceanFamily : ApogonidaeMinimum Tank Size : 30 gallonsThe Ruby Cardinalfish (Apogon Coccineus), also known as the Ruby Cardinal or the Little Red Cardinalfish. They are an excellent choice for beginner aquarists as they are active, friendly, easy to care for, and easily adapt to captive feeding. This fish has a uniform and translucent red color with a narrow middle lateral stripe, and some representatives have a dark pigment in the upper half. Their body is also a different shape than the traditional Cardinalfish, being long and slender rather than short and taller. Their red coloration helps prevent detection from predators at night. They can grow to be about 3″ fully mature, and should be kept in a tank with plenty of live rock or plants to offer hiding places during the day. The Ruby Cardinal has a nocturnal living habit and will be most active during the night. The Ruby Cardinal does well in small groups and makes a great reef tank species. The Ruby Cardinal is considered very safe for reefs and can be kept safely in any reef tank. A 30-gallon or larger aquarium with a cave and peaceful tank mates is suitable for this slow and methodical swimmer. It requires a tank with plenty of caves and coral heads to hide, which also makes an idle environment for this fish to flourish. It tends to hide in sea grass or other plants, or may use long-spined urchins for camouflage.Although some species do use aggression to exert dominance, this member of the family Apogonidae does not. Ruby Cardinals can be aggressive to other cardinals and should only be kept in small groups. As a group, they will establish a strict hierarchy without aggressiveness. Ruby Red Cardinals should also not be kept with larger more aggressive fish, since they can’t defend themselves well. The Ruby Red Cardinal is a slower swimmer, and extremely peaceful in nature, and should be housed with other reef safe, and peaceful tank mates. Because of their timid nature, they are a great choice to house with Seahorses and Pipefish.These fish can be bred successfully in captivity, and the fry can be raised to adulthood with appropriate care.Ruby Red Cardinals are carnivores and require a diet rich in meaty foods. Foods such are mysis and brine shrimp, high quality meaty frozen foods and high quality flake and pellet foods will keep your Ruby Cardinals healthy and happy.
