Striped Cardinalfish

The Striped Cardinalfish is a handsome species that features bold, well-defined horizontal stripes running along the length of its body. These alternating dark and light bands create a clean, graphic pattern that makes the fish immediately identifiable and visually appealing. The base coloration ranges from silver to pale gold, with the stripes appearing in dark brown to black, creating a high-contrast pattern that looks striking under aquarium lighting.

This hardy species has a wide distribution throughout the Western Pacific and broader Indo-Pacific region, from Japan and southern Australia through the tropical waters of Southeast Asia. It is found in a variety of habitats including coral reefs, rocky shores, tide pools, and even harbor pilings, demonstrating remarkable environmental adaptability. This versatility in the wild translates directly to ease of care in captivity.

The Striped Cardinalfish is one of the most robust and forgiving cardinalfish species for the home aquarium. Its hardiness, peaceful nature, and attractive striped pattern make it an excellent choice for community reef tanks. When kept in groups, these fish create an eye-catching display as they school together, their coordinated movements highlighting the geometric beauty of their striped patterns.