Data sheet cardinal fish
German name:
cardinalfish
Scientific name:
Tanichthys albonubes
Origin:
Asia: South China
Size:
5 cm
Aquarium
Length:
60 cm
Contents:
From 54 liters
Lighting:
Furnishings:
Plant
water values
Temperature:
18-22ºC
PH value:
6 – 7.5
carbonate hardness:
°dKH
total hardness:
4 – 30 °dGH
Behave
Area:
Everywhere
propagation:
egglayer
Lining:
omnivore
Behave:
school fish
Difficulty level:
Beginner
Sources
keeping cardinal fish
Cardinal fish Photo: Norbert Heidbüchel
Cardinal fish are not very demanding. They can easily cope in unheated pools with temperatures around 18°. A slightly cooler hibernation can lead to more beautiful colors, greater vitality and better results in the offspring. Sometimes cardinal fish are propagated in garden ponds or large tubs in summer. These cardinal fish are said to be far more gorgeous looking than aquarium-only animals. They get bigger, stronger and have richer colors.
But cardinal fish can also be successfully kept and reproduced at normal aquarium temperatures of around 25°C. Veil forms may need more heat.
In nature, cardinal fish are stream dwellers. When changing the water, they like to swim in the cooler and more turbulent alternating water. Water changes also stimulate spawning readiness. Spawning often takes place early in the morning. Females carrying spawn can become very fat. In the case of extremely fat cardinal fish that are otherwise behaving normally, there is usually no need to worry.
Tanichthys albonubes Source: Image on Wikimedia Commons License: CC Attr. SA 3.0 Author: sannse
Females are usually slightly larger and fuller than males. Cardinal fish live for several years.
In a species tank of 80 or 100 centimeters in length, e.g. B a troop of 15 animals can be kept. Dominant males then occupy spawning grounds, turn red and energetically drive other animals out of the spawning zone.
When socialized with disturbing other species, e.g. B. mullet, cardinal fish do not show this natural behavior.
Cardinal fish can B. be socialized with parrot platies in an unheated living room aquarium. Also suitable for socializing are small dwarf crabs from the southern states of the USA, which grow to 3.5 to 5 centimeters in size. The crabs do not prevent the cardinalfish from showing their natural behavior. However, no offspring can then be expected because the crabs eat the eggs of the cardinal fish.
Food for cardinal fish
Cardinalfish will eat just about any food they can fit in their mouths. be eaten e.g. B. dried red bloodworms, dried water fleas, live white bloodworms, enchytraeus and adult Artemia.
Breeding of cardinal fish
Tanichthys albonubes Source: Image on Wikimedia Commons License: CC Attr. SA 3.0 Author: sannse
In a community tank with a dense population of fine-feathered plants or java moss, a few juveniles occasionally come through.
In order to raise as many young as possible, they should initially be kept in a separate rearing tank.
A small container without heating is sufficient, e.g. B. small pools with 12 to 20 liters of water.
Cardinal fish prefer lower temperatures than many other aquarium fish.
In small containers, the water has to be changed frequently. Juvenile fish must always have food available. That is why they are fed 2 to 4 times a day.
Because the water spoils quickly with the amount of food, depending on the amount of food, 1 to 3 water changes of 50 – 80% are necessary daily.
Dust food or finely grated flake food is suitable as food. More nutritious is live food, e.g. B. Artemia nauplii.
Cardinal fish Photo: Norbert Heidbüchel
However, these only hatch after 1 to 2 days. Sludge from worn-in filters contains numerous microorganisms that are suitable as food.
To do this, a well-run-in filter sponge is easily squeezed out in the breeding tank. A magnifying glass can be used to check whether the young are eating.
Artemia nauplii have red bellies, otherwise white. Young fish need plenty of good food, especially in the first 1 to 2 days.
If they don’t get enough food during this time, it can no longer be made up for.
When can the young be socialized with other fish?
The young can be placed in the community tank when they are too big for the other fish to eat. You can try feeding the fish in the community tank with pellets. Pellets are small food sticks. The juveniles must be larger than the largest pellet that the other fish will eat.
cardinal fish:
Cardinal fish during courtship or ranking fights: