Tiger Cardinalfish

The Tiger Cardinalfish is the largest commonly kept member of the cardinalfish family, reaching an impressive ten inches in length. Its elongated, torpedo-shaped body is adorned with bold dark horizontal stripes on a silvery background, giving it the tiger-like appearance for which it is named. Large, prominent eyes and a wide mouth hint at its predatory nature, setting it apart from the smaller, more docile cardinalfish species that dominate the aquarium trade.

In the wild, Tiger Cardinalfish are solitary or found in small loose groups around reef ledges, caves, and shipwrecks throughout the Indo-Pacific. Unlike their smaller relatives that feed primarily on zooplankton, Tiger Cardinalfish are active predators that consume small fish and large crustaceans. Their large mouth and sharp teeth allow them to capture prey nearly half their own body length. They are primarily nocturnal hunters, resting in caves and crevices during the day and emerging at dusk to patrol the reef.

Keeping a Tiger Cardinalfish requires more consideration than other cardinalfish species due to its larger size and predatory habits. A minimum tank size of 75 gallons is recommended, and tankmates must be chosen carefully to avoid losing smaller fish. Despite its predatory nature, the Tiger Cardinalfish is generally not aggressive toward fish it cannot swallow and can coexist with medium to large community species. It is reef-safe in the sense that it will not harm corals, but ornamental shrimp and very small fish are at risk.