Pajama Cardinalfish

Pajama cardinalfish ( Sphaeramia nematoptera )

The pajama cardinalfish ( Sphaeramia nematoptera ) is a small, 8.5 inches long expectant sea fish, which is found in the western tropical Pacific from Java to the Ryukyu and the Fiji Islands, Tonga and the Great Barrier Reef. It is a popular ornamental fish for the saltwater aquarium and has also been bred.

Features

The pajama cardinalfish is high backs, the two dorsal fins, the pelvic fins and the anal fins are extended in length. Between the first dorsal fin and the pelvic fins, a broad, dark band that divides the body into two halves extends. The front body is yellow, the rear body light gray with regular brown spots. The large eyes are red. The mouth is large and upper constant. The second dorsal fin, the anal fin and the caudal fin are transparent.

Fins formula: Dorsal VII- VIII / 9, Anal II/9-10

Way of life

The pajama cardinalfish lives in lagoons and protected coral reefs between the branches of hard corals ( Porites nigrescens and P. cylindrica ) at depths of one to twelve meters. It is nocturnal and feeds on zooplankton, which is hunted close to the ground.

Like all cardinal fish, the fish are mouth brooders. In the aquarium every 13 to 18 days was spawned. A fully zähltes scrim comprised 320 eggs. The male takes the eggs in her mouth and eats until hatching of the larvae after 8-9 days of nothing. The hatched larvae have a length of 2 mm and are extremely slim. With a length of one centimeter, the juveniles are colored.