Pajama cardinalfish size: how big does it get?

Adults reach about 7.5 cm. The largest on record measured 8.5 cm (total length). Record sizes among the 27 Apogonidae species on LumaReef: 4.5 cm (Redspot Cardinalfish) to 25 cm (Tiger Cardinalfish).

Pajama cardinalfish tank size: what is the minimum?

A tank at least 75 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Standard tank or larger.

Pajama cardinalfish tank mates: what can it live with?

It gets along with 89 of the 99 reef species in the catalogue, such as Orchid dottyback, Swissguard basslet, and Chalk bass.

Pajama cardinalfish depth: how deep does it live?

In the wild, 1 to 14 m down. Shallower than most Apogonidae on LumaReef (2–41 m).

ReefIn the market200 coinsCommon

Pajama cardinalfish

Sphaeramia nematoptera

The slowest fish here, hanging beside the rock in a loose group.

The Pajama cardinalfish (Sphaeramia nematoptera) is a tropical marine fish of the family Apogonidae. It lives on and around reefs, between 1 and 14 m deep. Adults grow to about 7.5 cm; the largest on record measured 8.5 cm (total length). In the aquarium it needs a tank at least 75 cm long and water at 23–27 °C.

Size: 7.5 cm
Smallest tank: 75 cm
Temperature: 23–27 °C
Care: Easy

In the aquarium

Temperature23–27 °C

pH7.8–8.5

Temperament: Peaceful
Diet: Carnivore
Activity: Calm
Water layer: Mid water
Group: Happiest in a group of 3 or more
Coral: Reef safe

These values are compiled from real species data, and the LumaReef simulation is built to keep them true to life.

Which tank it fits

Nano60 cm · 65 litresToo small
Standard90 cm · 180 litres20 of them
Wide120 cm · 300 litres33 of them
Living room180 cm · 650 litres72 of them
Showcase250 cm · 1,200 litres133 of them
Gallery300 cm · 1,440 litres160 of them

Who it lives with

Gets along89 species

and 65 more species

Caution1 species

Narrow shared temperature range

Lined seahorse

Not together9 species

Aggressive with peaceful

In the wild

Water type: Marine
Climate zone: Tropical
Habitat: Coral and rocky reefs
Largest on record: 8.5 cmtotal length
Aquarium trade: Traded commercially

Depth

surface

1 m14 m

Conservation status

Classification

OrderGobiiformes
FamilyApogonidae
GenusSphaeramia
SpeciesSphaeramia nematoptera
Described byBleeker, 1856

In other languages

German: Pyjama-Kardinalbarsch
Spanish: Cardenal pijama
French: Apogon-pyjama
Italian: Pesce cardinale pigiama
Japanese: マンジュウイシモチ
Chinese: 絲鰭圓天竺鯛

Quick answers

Pajama cardinalfish size: how big does it get?: Adults reach about 7.5 cm. The largest on record measured 8.5 cm (total length). Record sizes among the 27 Apogonidae species on LumaReef: 4.5 cm (Redspot Cardinalfish) to 25 cm (Tiger Cardinalfish).
Pajama cardinalfish tank size: what is the minimum?: A tank at least 75 cm long. In LumaReef that is the Standard tank or larger.
Pajama cardinalfish water parameters: what does it need?: Temperature 23–27 °C, pH 7.8–8.5.
Pajama cardinalfish tank mates: what can it live with?: It gets along with 89 of the 99 reef species in the catalogue, such as Orchid dottyback, Swissguard basslet, and Chalk bass.
Pajama cardinalfish: alone or in a group?: Keep at least 3 together.
Pajama cardinalfish and corals: is it reef safe?: Yes, it leaves corals alone.
Pajama cardinalfish depth: how deep does it live?: In the wild, 1 to 14 m down. Shallower than most Apogonidae on LumaReef (2–41 m).