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Small, peaceful, and subtly striking, the Yellow Striped Cardinalfish (Ostorhinchus cyanosoma) is a shoaling marine species prized for its bright horizontal yellow stripes running the length of its silver body. With its calm temperament and ability to add shimmer and movement to the mid-water column, it’s a favourite for peaceful reef and community aquariums.
Best kept in small groups, these nocturnal fish are active in dim light and settle well into aquariums with rockwork and shaded areas. Their understated beauty shines when kept under reef lighting, where their metallic stripes shimmer against the aquascape.
Species: Ostorhinchus cyanosoma
Common Names: Yellow Striped Cardinalfish, Golden Cardinalfish
Origin: Indo-Pacific – reef lagoons and sheltered coastal reefs
Light Requirements: Moderate – prefers shaded areas and soft lighting
Diet: Carnivorous – feeds on zooplankton, small meaty frozen foods like mysis shrimp, enriched brine shrimp, and micro-pellets
Maximum Size: 6–8 cm
Temperament: Peaceful, schooling fish
Care Level: Easy to Intermediate
Aquarium Setup:
Best suited to aquariums of 120 litres or more, with plenty of live rock, caves, and shaded areas for security. Yellow Striped Cardinalfish thrive in groups of five or more, which reduces stress and encourages natural shoaling behaviour. They are reef-safe, making them ideal additions to coral tanks.
Water Parameters:
Temperature: 24–27°C
pH: 8.1–8.4
Salinity: 1.020–1.025
Hardness: 8–12 dKH
Growth and Maintenance:
These cardinalfish are hardy once acclimated but prefer stable, mature reef systems. They do not compete aggressively for food, so ensure they receive enough during feedings if kept with faster or boisterous tankmates. Best viewed during dusk and dawn lighting, when they are naturally more active.
Care Tips:
✔ Keep in groups to reduce stress and show natural behaviour
✔ Provide caves and shaded areas for daytime shelter
✔ Feed small, frequent meals of fine meaty foods
✔ Avoid keeping with highly aggressive or predatory fish
✔ Maintain high water quality for long-term health
Compatibility:
Peaceful and reef-safe. Pairs well with gobies, blennies, clownfish, wrasses, tangs, and other small to medium non-aggressive species. Safe with corals and most invertebrates.
Availability:
Commonly available in the Australian marine aquarium trade, typically sold as small juveniles around 3–5 cm. Adapts well to captivity when housed in groups.