Twobelt Cardinalfish

The Twobelt Cardinalfish is a graceful species named for the two distinctive dark bands or belts that mark its translucent pinkish body. These dark vertical bars are positioned along the body, creating a clean, well-defined pattern that makes identification straightforward. The base coloration is a warm pinkish-silver with hints of orange along the body, and the fins are typically clear to slightly tinted, adding to the species' delicate aesthetic.

This species enjoys a wide distribution across the Indo-Pacific, from the Red Sea and East African coast through the Indian Ocean to the Western Pacific. It is commonly found in large aggregations around coral heads, branching formations, and sheltered reef overhangs. Schools of Twobelt Cardinalfish can number in the hundreds in the wild, creating impressive clouds of fish that pulse and shift above the reef.

The Twobelt Cardinalfish is an excellent aquarium species that brings natural schooling behavior to the home reef tank. It is hardy, peaceful, and readily accepts prepared foods, making it suitable for aquarists of all experience levels. When kept in groups of three or more, it displays the tight schooling behavior that makes cardinalfish such appealing additions to community aquariums.